Tabuk City cop praised after compassionate handling of baby milk theft

The head of the Philippine National Police praised the local police chief of Tabuk City, Kalinga for “showing compassion while upholding the rule of law” in the case of a man who was arrested for stealing baby milk. 

The Kalinga Police apprehended a single father in Tabuk City for allegedly stealing a 1.7-kilo box of baby milk from a supermarket last October 30.

It was learned the suspect is unemployed and raising his child alone after his wife left. He told authorities he took the milk out of desperation. 

Instead of charging the man, Tabuk City police chief Lt. Col. Jack Angog paid for the item to settle the matter. The father was freed and given a chance to start over.

PNP chief  Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr. said “the incident perfectly reflects the human side of policing where officers enforce the law with both firmness and empathy. He emphasized that police work should always mirror these values in the performance of duty.”

“I commend the local police chief for showing compassion while still upholding the law. Hindi naman natin sinasang-ayunan ang ginawa pero nauunawaan natin na minsan, ang krimen ay bunga ng kahirapan o gutom. What the local police chief did reflects the human side of policing, enforcing the law with a heart,” he said.

Nartatez maintained the Angog’s act was executed within legal bounds and that the suspect was released after documentation and a proper settlement. 

“Importanteng tandaan natin that the action was done within legal bounds. Walang nilabag na proseso, and it shows that our police officers can act with both firmness and empathy,” he added.

With this as an example,Nartatez instructed all police personnel to “always exercise sound judgment and compassion when handling minor offenses rooted in desperation or poverty.” 

He ordered police units to actively coordinate with social welfare offices, such as the DSWD and local government units, to ensure that assistance is extended when needed, rather than immediate, punitive action.

“The law must always be applied but let us also consider the human condition behind every case. Hindi lahat ng kaso kailangan tumuloy sa kulungan. Sometimes, what’s needed is assistance, not punishment,” Nartatez said.

He added, “Law enforcement with empathy means enforcing the law without losing our sense of humanity. Hindi ibig sabihin na malambot tayo sa krimen, pero may puso tayo sa pag-intindi ng kalagayan ng ating kababayan. That’s what genuine public service is all about”. —RF, GMA Integrated News