Bag thief actually 15 years old, faces charges

CEBU, Philippines - The boy who stole a trader’s bag containing P150,000 and claimed to be 13 years old will be turned over to the Bagong Buhay Rehabilitation Center after police found out his real age.

Chief Inspector David Señor, acting chief of Fuente Police Station, said they saw the boy’s birth certificate and found out that the minor is actually 15 years old, contrary to what he first told police.

Señor said that for at least 10 theft incidents reported to their station involving the boy, this would be the first time that the latter would be charged with a case since he is already at the age of discernment.

Señor said they have also acquired the document from the Department of Social Welfare and Development proving that the boy acted with discernment when he did the crime last Tuesday. He also admitted to the reporters that he started stealing in 2006.

Yesterday, a case for theft has been filed against the minor and probably later today, he will be turned over to the Operation Second Chance, said Señor.

According to the police official, they will have to wait until the minor turns 18 years old before they can start the court hearing.

Last Tuesday, car dealer Joselito Lano reported to Fuente Police Station that his bag containing P150,000, which he placed inside his car parked along V. Urgello Street, Cebu City, was stolen.

After checking the closed-circuit television camera nearby, the police immediately recognized the boy as the one who took the bag since he had been reported at Fuente Police Station many times.

Police proceeded to the residence of spouses Rommel and Dyna Quan, where the minor has reportedly been living. Dyna was arrested but her husband eluded arrest.

Fuente police also filed criminal complaints before the Office of the Cebu City Prosecutor against the couple, who are believed to be the handlers of the boy.

Señor said the Quans are now facing charges for human trafficking, child abuse.

“Originally, we prepared cases for theft in relation to child abuse. But since human trafficking qualified for using a minor to commit a crime, we added it to make the case stronger. Human trafficking is not bailable,” he said.

Señor said Dyna will still be subjected to inquest proceedings today while the charges against Rommel, who is still at large, were filed through regular preliminary investigation.

“At least na-docket na,” said the station chief.

Señor further said they will also file a case for child abuse against the parents of the boy for neglecting their child.

“We’ll have a separate filing for the parents. It will qualify as a child abuse since they (the parents) neglected him and let him stay in another house even though they already know it,” he said. (FREEMAN)