A 12-year-old girl was stabbed by a man while sitting at a waiting shed in Barangay San Vicente, Tarlac City, on the night of September 25, 2024.
In the closed circuit television (CCTV) footage, the girl can be seen using her cellphone when the man in white approaches her, suddenly stabs her, and grabs her phone.
"Initially, lumapit nga daw ‘yung suspek sa kanya, palakad-lakad. Then tinabihan siya. Bigla na lang siyang sinaksak. After that, dinampot ‘yung cellphone niya," PLTCOL. Sean Logronio, Tarlac City Police Station Chief, said.
The girl survived the attack and is now safe.
A manhunt was immediately launched, leading to the suspect's capture after he was identified through CCTV footage from a local store.
"Fortunate naman na ‘yung tindahan na iyon ay may CCTV... nai-identify siya ng may-ari ng tindahan," Barangay Chairman Mark Otep Turla of San Vicente, said.
The suspect admitted he committed the crime to pay off his debts.
Authorities recovered the screwdriver used in the stabbing and the stolen cellphone.
The suspect now faces charges of frustrated homicide in relation to RA 7610 and robbery.
The victim's family has yet to release a statement.
