By CHRIS V. PANGANIBAN
SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur — A routine mobile patrol turned into a life-saving response after personnel of the Tago Municipal Police Station in Surigao del Sur assisted a pregnant woman who eventually gave birth inside a police patrol vehicle on Friday afternoon, February 20, 2026.
Police were conducting mobile patrol along the national highway in Barangay Victoria at around 2:45 p.m. when they encountered a tricycle carrying a woman already in active labor and in urgent need of medical attention.
The responding team was led by PCpl Kietch Patrick D. Pontilan, Assistant Chief Administrative Police Non-Commissioned Officer (PNCO), and PCpl Jonalyn E. Paler, Assistant Women and Children Protection DeskPNCO, under the supervision of PCPT Romer C. Acos, Acting Chief of Police.
Tago police identified the woman as Jolina Gomez Arangal, 23-year-old, while the infant was her third child.
After assessing the situation, the police officers immediately transferred the pregnant woman to their patrol vehicle and rushed her to the Adela Serra Ty Memorial Medical Center for immediate medical care.
However, while en route to the hospital, the woman’s labor progressed rapidly, resulting in the unexpected delivery of the baby inside the patrol car. PCpl Paler courageously assisted in the emergency childbirth, ensuring the safety of both the mother and the newborn until they reached the hospital.
Upon arrival at the medical facility, the mother and child were promptly turned over to attending medical personnel for further treatment and post-delivery care. Both were later reported to be in stable condition.
The incident highlighted the swift response and commitment to public service of the Tago Municipal Police Station personnel, who went beyond law enforcement duties to ensure the safety of a mother and her newborn.
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