A jobless single father in Tabuk City, Kalinga was released after the local police chief paid for a box of baby milk the man allegedly tried to take from a supermarket because he could no longer feed his child.
The incident occurred in October 2025, when a man was apprehended after a supermarket employee caught him attempting to leave with a 1.725-kilogram box of baby formula without paying. Police said he told officers he had become unemployed after a construction project ended and was raising his child on his own following his wife’s departure.
Tabuk City police chief Lt. Col. Jack Angog paid for the item to settle the matter. The father was freed after documentation and proper settlement, according to reports citing the Philippine National Police.
PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. praised Angog’s response but stressed that the police were not excusing theft.
“I commend the local police chief for showing compassion while still upholding the law. Hindi naman natin sinasang-ayunan ang ginawa pero nauunawaan natin na minsan, ang krimen ay bunga ng kahirapan o gutom,” Nartatez said.
Nartatez said the response stayed within legal bounds because the incident was documented and settled before the man was released.
“The PNP does not condone any form of theft or wrongdoing. But we must also remember that behind every violation is often a story of hardship. This is where compassionate leadership must take place, to enforce the law firmly, but with understanding and empathy. That is the true essence of public service,” he said.
He later directed police personnel to use sound judgment and compassion when handling minor offenses rooted in desperation or poverty. He also ordered police units to coordinate with social welfare offices and local governments so families in crisis can receive help when needed.
The case drew attention because it stayed within procedure while recognizing the emergency behind the complaint. A father accused of stealing milk for his child avoided jail, and the police response moved the case from punishment alone to settlement, assistance, and a chance to start again.
