Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), on Monday, Aug. 10, lauded two Baguio City police officers who helped bring a woman and her newborn son to a hospital after she gave birth at home amid the severe weather caused by the enhanced southwest monsoon (habagat).

According to the PNP, the incident happened around 5 a.m. on Aug. 4 when the woman’s husband rushed to Camdas Police Station 2 and reported that his wife was in active labor at their residence.

Police Staff Sergeant Melanio Agmeyeng and Police Corporal Joshua Sobangui, of the Baguio City Police immediately coordinated with the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and proceeded to the home. When they arrived, the woman had already delivered a baby boy with the assistance of a family member.

Emergency medical personnel conducted an initial assessment of the mother and infant at the residence. Police and EMS personnel then worked together to bring them to an ambulance and transport them to Baguio General Hospital for further medical evaluation.

Both mother and baby were assessed to be in stable condition, according to the PNP.

“The response of our Baguio City police personnel reflects the commitment of the PNP to protect lives, especially during emergencies. They acted promptly, coordinated with EMS, and helped ensure that the mother and her newborn reached the hospital safely despite the severe weather,” Nartatez said in a statement.

Baguio City was battered by torrential rain and flooding caused by the enhanced southwest monsoon, or habagat, and Tropical Depression “Maymay” at the time.

Nartatez noted that the conditions made it more difficult to respond to the emergency and transport the mother and her newborn.

Still, he said the incident showed that police officers have a responsibility to assist communities during emergencies, even when their work extends beyond regular law enforcement duties.

“This incident shows that police officers must be ready to respond wherever and whenever people need help. Our duty to protect the public goes beyond law enforcement, particularly during disasters and other emergencies,” the PNP chief said.

He directed all police units to remain ready for emergency calls involving communities affected by severe weather. He also reminded local police commanders to keep emergency response personnel and vehicles ready in flood-prone and other high-risk areas while severe weather persists.