A 14-year-old boy and his 23-year-old alleged accomplice were apprehended in Mandaluyong City after a businessman was threatened with a sharp weapon and robbed shortly after withdrawing money from an ATM along Shaw Boulevard.
The incident occurred on Friday, October 16, in Barangay Daang Bakal, where the 43-year-old victim was reportedly walking away from an ATM when two individuals riding a motorcycle approached him. According to police, the younger suspect got off the motorcycle, confronted the businessman with an ice pick, and demanded his belongings.
The victim initially tried to hold on to his bag but was eventually overpowered. Instead of immediately fleeing, the suspects allegedly pursued him again in an attempt to seize another cellphone. The businessman escaped by running toward an area where police personnel were stationed.
The attempted getaway quickly unraveled when the suspects encountered officers conducting patrol and surveillance operations nearby. Mandaluyong City Police officer-in-charge Col. Rey Ochavo said the two suspects, who reportedly came from Manila, were unfamiliar with the area and were caught off guard when they turned into the officers’ location.
Authorities recovered the victim’s stolen bag containing two mobile phones and ₱5,000 in cash, along with the motorcycle allegedly used in the robbery and the ice pick believed to have been used to threaten the victim.
The 23-year-old suspect was placed under police custody and faces a robbery complaint. The 14-year-old, meanwhile, was turned over to the Mandaluyong City Social Welfare and Development Office for counseling and an assessment of discernment, in accordance with procedures governing children in conflict with the law.
The involvement of a minor highlights a troubling dimension of the incident, raising concerns not only about street crime but also about young people becoming involved in serious offenses. Under Philippine juvenile justice law, children aged 15 and below are exempt from criminal liability, although appropriate intervention and rehabilitation measures may still apply.
Police credited the quick response of personnel in the area for the arrests and recovery of the stolen belongings. Ochavo also reminded residents to immediately report suspicious activity and criminal incidents through official police hotlines to allow authorities to respond promptly.
For the public, the incident reinforces the importance of staying alert when withdrawing cash, particularly when leaving ATMs or walking along busy roads. Residents are encouraged to secure their belongings, remain aware of their surroundings, and seek assistance from nearby authorities when threatened.
Image from Mandaluyong CPS via Christopher Sitson