Unwarranted punishment for hungry clerk

I came across your online news item, “Hungry supermarket clerk jailed for stealing can of corned beef” (Inquirer.net, 12/12/17), about a clerk who stole from the store he was working at because he was hungry.

I also understand the employer’s insistence on him being meted out punishment because it is indeed a violation of trust and so that other employees will not do the same thing.

However, I believe the punishment is a bit too harsh and career-ending for the clerk. If management does not give sufficient training to their employees, it also has a share in this wrongdoing and thus the jail term is unwarranted.

I was wondering, would you be able to help me reach Paul Matthew Tanglao, the hungry store clerk, so I can donate some money to him and at least temporarily help him out? I wish I could do more.

NELLY ESCANDOR,  [email protected]