Some may find it serendipitous, some may find it predetermined. But whatever force it was that governed the possibility of having all at once a policeman with a degree in Nursing and a woman about to deliver a child inside a police station is astounding. It is something we do not see every day.

Police Staff Sergeant Fernan Omolon of the Mabolo Police Station in Cebu City has chosen to be a policeman. In fact, he marks his 12th year in service at the Philippine National Police.

He has a Bachelor's degree in Nursing but has preferred to take a policeman’s work as a career.

Omolon said that anywhere in the world and at any situation, the skills he acquired as a Nursing graduate is put on an “on-call mode.”

So when the call to respond came on November 10, 2023 at about 6 p.m., it was somewhat a summon on his Nursing skills.

Gleecy Bucod Villarta, a woman heavy with child, was waiting for a ride to the hospital a stone’s throw from the Mabolo Police Station.

Gleecy’s partner, Stev de Jesus Josol, resorted asking help from the policemen when Gleecy’s labor contractions went intense.

Sensing the baby may come out any time, Stev requested the policemen to take them to the hospital through the police automobile.

But Gleecy could not hold anymore; she went inside the station, and on to a long armless sofa where she was ushered.

Staff Sergeant Omolon came to the rescue, helped the baby girl out of the birth canal and instructed colleagues on handling a newborn.

The baby girl went crying loudly; the police rejoiced at the safe delivery.

Omolon said he has always wanted to be a policeman but because Nursing was an in-demand course in the early 2000s he took up the track. However, he pursued the police profession after graduation.

He said that nursing, anyway, can be applied in any profession as everyone has the ability to care and nurture anyone and anything.

So while he holds a gun to uphold the law, peace and order, his hands also radiate the philosophies of professional nursing pioneer, Florence Nightingale.

Omolon said he had to make the procedure urgent because police stations are not equipped with delivery instruments. Sanitation is not also regularly done, unlike in hospitals, so he made sure that the mother-and-child be rushed to a medical facility for proper post-natal and newborn care with the help of the Mabolo Emergency and Response Team.

He also has Mabolo Police Station Chief, Police Major Erano Regidor, to thank for; Police Staff Master Sergeant Gilbert Igot of the Police Community Relations, Melody Tabo-tabo, a non-uniform personnel, and the rest of the Mabolo Police team who responded to the call.

They welcome another possibility of the Mabolo Police Station dabbling as an emergency birthing center should the need arise.

The incident on November 10, 2023 was a first, they said.

Public service is 24 hours and is not limited to the alarm on crimes and complaints, Major Regidor said.

There is also an alarm that could bellow from the womb.

“Ani-a gyud ta moserbisyo. Serbisyong totoo,” Regidor expressed.

If there is an astonishing force in the universe stronger than serendipity and predetermination, it is kindness as exemplified by the team.

Kindness stands out. It is remarkable. It underscores the substantial. It is something we want to experience more in the diurnal rhythm of life.