IT was around 5 a.m. on a Monday, September 19 when Patrolman John Kenneth Sabugaa and his team just came back from practice for training for their police service when they saw a desperate-looking man carrying a baby, screaming and jumping along Diversion Road in Davao City.
When they approached the man, they saw him carrying his two-year-old child with no signs of life.
According to the father, his son has not been eating since the morning of the day before.
Immediately, they let the man board the police mobile and went to Southern Philippine Medical Center (SPMC).
With the urgency to perform “first aid” to the child, Sabugaa, with his knowledge of search and rescue operations, volunteered.
"Nagguot nami didtoa. Wa nami nagkadimao. Di na mahitsura, basta ako gi-perform nako ang first aid," he told SunStar Davao in a phone interview.
He performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). After three attempts, the child woke up and vomited, thus helping revive the child.
Everyone in the mobile patrol shouted for joy, and the father stopped crying and thanked the team non-stop until they reached SPMC for proper treatment and medication of the infant.
Sabugaa wasn't expecting that he would be able to perform something way beyond his duty.
It was a miracle indeed, he said.
"Pasalamat ko sa ginoo kay nabuhi gyud ang bata. Wala ko nag-expect na mabuhi pa siya," the police said.
Despite his previous experience in basic life-saving, it was a nerve-racking moment for him. But in every crisis situation, presence of mind is a must.
Sabugaa personally understood the father's situation as he is a father himself and that he couldn't bear the pain if a similar situation would happen to his kids.
Based on their last communication, the child was expected to be discharged on Thursday, September 22.
His notable and selfless act was lauded by his superior.
In a press release from the Police Community Affairs and Development Group (PCADG) Davao Region, the father was a resident from Barangay Apokon in Tagum City, Davao del Sur.
PLtCol. Jacy Jay Francia, Force Commander of the 2nd Davao Sur Provincial Mobile Force Company, commended his men for being a Good Samaritan to someone in a desperate situation.
Police Regional Office (PRO) 11 Director PBGen Benjamin Silo Jr. also lauded the team of Sagubaa and thanked them for their assistance, which had given the toddler a chance to live.
Silo, in a press conference on Wednesday, September 21, said they will be given recognition for their noble act.
Sabugaa realized how important it is for policemen like them to learn basic life support (BLS) as it will be useful in emergency situations, just like what they went through.
With that, he hopes that ordinary citizens would also take time to learn BLS training.
"Para kita pud mismo makabalo pud ta sa atong buhaton, or in case naa may mahitabo sa atong mga silingan," Sabugaa said.
He also hopes that this would boost the morale of his fellow policemen to serve and protect the public, in any situation they would be needed. RGL