Police officer cited for helping woman give birth during traffic gridlock

A policewoman assigned at the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) who helped a woman give birth right on the sidewalk of Belle Ave. at the corner of Diosdado Macapagal Blvd. in Parañaque City caught in the traffic gridlock Monday morning has been a recipient of more than 30 medals, awards, and commendations since becoming a police officer 15 years ago.

At about 11:45 a.m. Monday, Senior Police Officer 2 (SPO2) Rizza A. Rodriguez assisted a pregnant woman on a motorcycle with

her husband who unexpectedly gave birth to a baby boy right on the sidewalk amid heavy traffic that had been rerouted for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders Meeting in Manila.

SPO2 Rodriguez is assigned at the QCPD’s District Personnel and Human Resource Development Division (DPHRDD) in Camp Karingal, Quezon City, She was part of the QCPD unit deployed for the APEC Summit under the National Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO).

Police trainee Allan Lingcong who was assisting Rodriguez said it was about 11:30 a.m. when a couple on a motorcycle asked them for help as the woman was about to give birth. Rodriguez and other traffic and security personnel came to assist and the baby was safely delivered on the sidewalk.

They then flagged down a motorist who took the couple and their baby to the San Juan de Dios Hospital emergency room, where they were attended to immediately.

In an interview, Police Chief Inspector Jeffrey Bilaro, QCPD spokesman, said the 38-year-old Rodriguez has been awarded 32 times for being an outstanding law enforcer in the one and a half decades that she has been a policewoman.

She was awarded by the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) on July 28, 2015, with the 1st Bronze Anahaw, after receiving five Medalya ng Mabuting Asal, an award given to those who showed kindness towards others.

Bilaro said the chief of the Directorate for Police Community Relations of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Director Wilfredo Franco, the NCRPO chief Director Joel D. Pagdilao, and Chief Supt. Edgardo G. Tinio, QCPD director, are expected to hand additional awards to Rodriguez.

According to her Personnel Data Sheet, Rodriguez has received 32 medals, awards, and commendations from the PNP since October 16, 2002.

Rodriguez was awarded with 16 Medalya ng Papuri, five Medalya ng Kasanayan, a Medalya ng Kagalingan, a Medalya ng Pagtulong sa Nasalanta, and several Letters of Commendation.

Before becoming a policewoman, she served at the laboratory section at the Batangas Regional Hospital after graduating from the Lyceum of Batangas in 1998. She entered the police service on November 16, 2000.

“How fitting na 15 years since becoming a police officer, may natulungan siya uli,” Bilaro said.