By Eva C. Visperas

 

WHAT was supposed to be a quiet Sunday night last September 14 turned into one of the most alarming evenings Pangasinan has experienced in recent memory. At around 9:00 p.m., I came across a post on Facebook that sent shivers down my spine — a desperate call for help from a family whose newborn baby was allegedly abducted from the Lingayen District Hospital.

I immediately alerted Fourth District Board Member Jerry Agerico Rosario, chairman of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan’s Committee on Health and one of the most dedicated legislators I know. BM Jerry, a doctor by profession, was as shocked as I was. By morning, the story had spread like wildfire, dominating conversations in the Capitol and in homes, schools, and marketplaces across Pangasinan.

BM Jerry took the floor during the regular session, urging authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and to bring the missing baby back safely to his parents.

The hours that followed were undoubtedly stressful for the police and for the provincial government. Statements were issued one after another to assure the public that everything possible was being done to find the child. Social media amplified the case, with netizens sharing the baby’s picture and urging vigilance.

By September 15, the Pangasinan Police Provincial Office convened a case conference, presided over by PCol. Arbel Mercullo, with representatives from the Provincial Hospital Management Service, hospital personnel, and investigators. The order was clear: intensify the manhunt, gather leads, and recover the child at all costs.

Thankfully, those prayers and efforts bore fruit. Through the combined work of the police, hospital management, the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office, and other agencies, the newborn was successfully rescued and joyfully reunited with his parents, Romeo and Rocel of Binmaley. The suspect, a woman posing as a nurse, was entrapped, arrested, and is now facing charges of kidnapping.

A press conference was held at the Urduja House, with Governor Ramon Guico III, PCol. Mercullo, and other key officials expressed relief, gratitude, and renewed commitment to public safety. There was a collective sigh of relief from Pangasinenses as the good news was shared. For a moment, the province celebrated — but this incident also exposed a glaring weakness in our hospital security systems.

While we commend the fast action of our law enforcers and the vigilance of our community, this abduction should never have happened in the first place. How could someone so easily take a newborn baby out of a hospital without being challenged or stopped? Where were the CCTV cameras? Where were the security protocols?

Moving forward, three key measures must be prioritized not just in Lingayen District Hospital but in all other hospitals under the provincial government:

1. Installation of CCTV Cameras in Key Locations– Every hospital should have surveillance cameras in entrances, exits, hallways, and maternity wards, monitored 24/7 by trained personnel.
2. Strict Identity Verification and Access Control– Anyone who enters maternity or pediatric wards must be properly identified. Medical personnel should wear clearly visible ID badges, visitors must log in and out, and newborn handling protocols must be followed religiously.
3. Regular Security Drills and Staff Training– Hospital employees should be trained to spot suspicious behavior and respond quickly to emergencies.

Implementing these measures requires funding, and the provincial government surely must have money to allocate. If we can invest millions in beautifying the Capitol area, we can certainly invest in the safety of our patients, especially our most vulnerable newborns.

This incident should be a wake-up call for the provincial government. We take pride in our newly built structures, our reflective pool, and the continuing modernization of our Capitol complex, but if our hospitals remain vulnerable, we are failing to protect our most defenseless citizens. No parent should ever experience the terror of losing a newborn due to lapses in security.

This story has a happy ending, and we are all grateful that the baby is now back in his parents’ arms. But justice must now be pursued with equal vigor. The suspect must face the full force of the law, and if there are accomplices, they must also be held accountable.

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