By JEL SANTOS
A policeman who is also a registered nurse was recently lauded for giving first aid to a woman whose right arm was amputated in an accident at MRT3 Ayala Station.
Chief Supt. Romulo Sapitula, Eastern Police District (EPD), commended Police Officer (PO2) Dan Agustin Jr., 30, a nursing graduate of Capitol Medical Center College. The hero cop is a member of EPD’s Special Public Safety Battalion.
Agustin was the one who tied a belt on the bleeding arm of 24-year-old Angeline Fernando, stopping the excessive bleeding that could have worsened the victim’s situation. The accident happened last Nov. 14.
In an interview, Agustin said that he and PO1 Ramil Almano were deployed near the said area for the ASEAN security.
Agustin said as soon as they heard people shouting at the said station, they immediately rushed to the area and check the situation.
“I saw the victim lying on the ground, and next to her was Ms. Charlean Jandic, a medical intern. I then took a belt and tied it around the amputated arm to stop the bleeding,” he said in Filipino. “Ms. Jandic was calming the victim during that time.”
Since they were busy assisting Fernando, Agustin ordered the guards to get the arm of the victim and place it in an ice box filled with ice.
“I also took the vital signs of the Ms. Fernando. Likewise, I assisted the medical staff of the ambulance in inserting an IV fluid since she lost a lot of fluids due to the bleeding,” Agustin added.
The cop and his partner also went to the Makati Medical Center where the victim was rushed.
The father of Fernando, according to Agustin, thanked them for helping his daughter.
Dir. Gen Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, has also lauded what Agustin did during the incident.
“The PNP chief, after hearing the whole story, immediately instructed Chief Supt. Sapitula to give appropriate medals and recognition to the police officers. He also proudly said that a police officer and nurse like PO2 Agustin should be treasured and should be a role model to everyone,” EPD said in a statement.
Reports said that the amputated arm of the victim was successfully attached by doctors.
“I am happy that her arm was reattached by the doctors. I am praying that she fully recovers,” said Agustin.
