Davao Sur quake survivor delivers baby girl in police car

DIGOS CITY—-A 25-year old woman in Sulop, Davao del Sur gave birth to a baby girl while being rushed to a hospital in a police patrol car last Wednesday yet (Jan. 15).

On Thursday (Jan. 16), SSgt Jimson Gabrinez, of the Sulop police, recounted his role in helping Aiza Paraje give birth.

He said Paraje sought his help to rush to a hospital because she was already in labor.

Paraje lives at the village of Poblacion in Malalag town which had been devastated by the Dec. 15 quake, one in a series of earthquakes that rocked many areas in Mindanao.

Gabrinez, who was about to report for duty that day, immediately carried Paraje and asked the patrol car driver to bring her to the nearest hospital.

Along the way, Paraje experienced frequent abdominal contractions and said she felt her baby was coming out, Gabrinez recalled.

Paraje eventually delivered the baby while in the patrol car. She was brought to a birthing home for several more procedures.

“As police officer, it’s part of our duty to lend humanitarian service to any citizen who needed our help,” said Capt. Harold S. Untalan, acting police chief of the Sulop police and boss of Gabrinez.

Edited by TSB