A police officer in Tabuk City, Kalinga earned praise after he paid for the milk stolen by a jobless father who said he only wanted to feed his infant child.

According to the Tabuk City Police, CCTV footage from a local store showed the man taking a can of milk without paying. Investigation revealed that he had just lost his job and had been left by his wife, leaving him to care for their baby alone.

Instead of filing charges, Police Lieutenant Colonel Jack Angog, chief of the Tabuk City Police Station, decided to show compassion by paying for the stolen milk to spare the father from imprisonment.

“Wala naman tayong naisip doon, out of ano lang, instinct siguro ‘yun na tumulong. Naintindihan naman natin ‘yung case ng suspek kaya sabi ko bayaran na lang natin, nakakaawa naman,” Angog said.

He added that the police also helped the man find a job to prevent him from stealing again.

“Actually, sobrang pasasalamat din. Eh, sabi ko huwag mo nang uulitin ‘yan. [Ang] ginawa natin, tinulungan din natin maghanap ng trabaho para hindi maulit,” Angog shared.

The officer’s act of kindness drew praise online, with many saying it showed how empathy and understanding can make a difference, even in law enforcement.

This is said to be proof that as long as every Filipino, whether civilian or military, has understanding for others, compassion and kindness will prevail among all.