15-year-old taken into custody after motorcycle theft in Tabuk

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — A 15-year-old child in conflict with the law (CICL) was taken into custody after allegedly stealing a motorcycle that was left unattended in Dagupan West, Tabuk City, and later recovered by police in Laya West.

According to a spot report from the Provincial Highway Patrol Team-Kalinga (PHPT-Kalinga) obtained by Guru Press Cordillera on Monday, September 28, the motorcycle was left unattended by its owner in Dagupan West on September 22 with the key accidentally left attached to the unit.

The 41-year-old owner reported the motorcycle missing to the PHPT-Kalinga office on September 24.

Motorcycle located after surveillance

The following day, September 25, police received information that the motorcycle had been sighted in Sitio Pantar, Laya West, prompting the team to conduct a follow-up operation.

The team proceeded to the area and conducted surveillance to verify the information and locate the motorcycle.

At around 2:30 p.m., the motorcycle was spotted parked in front of a house under construction, where the 15-year-old, identified as alias “Dagol,” was also seen.

The police team, together with the complainant and his friends, approached the child and inspected the motorcycle.

The unit was confirmed to be the same motorcycle reported stolen on September 22. According to the report, Dagol also admitted taking the motorcycle.

The recovered vehicle was identified as a black Honda Click registered in the complainant’s name.

CICL turned over to social welfare office

Dagol was informed of his constitutional rights in the Ilokano dialect, which he reportedly understood.

He was initially placed under the custody of PHPT-Kalinga for documentation and further investigation before being turned over to the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) for assessment and appropriate intervention.

The recovered motorcycle was also turned over to the Provincial Forensic Unit of Kalinga for macro-etching examination as part of the investigation.

HPG chief reminds owners, parents to be watchful

Following the recovery, HPG-Kalinga chief PCPT Jordan Bongat reminded motorcycle owners to avoid leaving their vehicles unattended and to properly secure their motorcycles, particularly when parked in public or open areas.

Bongat also reminded parents and guardians to closely guide and monitor their children, particularly their activities and the people they spend time with, to help prevent them from being influenced into activities that could put them in conflict with the law.