Baler cop helps drunk driver get home

A simple act of concern turned into a quiet reminder of compassion on the road after a police officer in Baler, Aurora helped an intoxicated tricycle driver get home safely on 2 January.

According to the Baler Municipal Police Station (MPS), Police Staff Sergeant Alvin I. De Guzman and Police Chief Master Sergeant Geoffrey A. Bolante had just finished assisting an accident victim at Premiere General Hospital in Barangay Suklayin when they noticed something amiss on their way back.

From the opposite lane, a tricycle was moving unusually slow — right down the middle of the road.

Sensing the risk of another accident, the two officers followed the tricycle in their patrol car and signaled the driver to pull over. Upon stopping the vehicle, they found that the tricycle driver was intoxicated and in no condition to continue driving.

Instead of immediately issuing a ticket, Police Chief Master Sergeant Bolante chose a safer and more humane option. He took over the handlebars of the tricycle and personally drove the intoxicated driver home to Sitio Tabon, Barangay Buhangin, ensuring both the driver and other road users were out of harm’s way.

The Baler MPS said the officers’ decision was guided by the immediate need to prevent a possible accident and to keep everyone safe.

While the incident highlights a compassionate response, police reminded the public that driving under the influence remains a serious offense. Under Republic Act 10586, or the Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013, DUI carries penalties ranging from fines of P20,000 to P80,000 and possible imprisonment of up to three months. More severe penalties apply if intoxicated driving results in injuries or death, including higher fines, longer prison terms, and suspension or revocation of a driver’s license.

For the officers involved, however, the priority that night was clear: Get one driver home safely — and prevent another accident from ever happening.