Five children in conflict with the law (CICLs) were caught on closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera involved in a holdup incident at dawn in Iloilo City.

The CCTV footage showed that a woman was walking her two dogs in the vicinity of Quirino Bridge in Barangay President Roxas at about 4 a.m. on February 10, 2025.

Two boys were seen behind her, one in white shirt and the other in black hoodie jacket. Later, the two grabbed her bag.

The woman resisted but fell on the pavement. The two boys ran away with the woman’s bag. It was observed that as soon as the two boys fled, there were two other boys who were reportedly their companions.

A fifth person served reportedly as the lookout, who was not captured in the CCTV footage.

The victim was identified as Ma. Luisa Villasin, 57 years old, a resident of Barangay Veteran’s Village in Iloilo City. She said that her bag contained P500 cash and cellphone worth around P35,000.

GMA Regional TV One Western Visayas went to the woman’s residence to seek an interview, but she was not around. The CICLs fled “Balay Dalayunan,” a youth home in Barrio Obrero, Lapuz District in Iloilo City, dawn on February 10, 2025.

According to Police Station 8, the CICLs destroyed the window grills on the second floor of the youth detention home at about 2 a.m.

The CICLS used a piece of metal from their bed to pry the window open, and that they used blankets to get down.

“Dati na itong dinaanan sa pagtakas at gumamit sila ng kumot sa pagbaba sa second floor. Ginamitan nila ng tubo mula sa kanilang higaan at hinawi nila,” Police Lt. Glery Perante, deputy chief of the Iloilo City Police Station 8, said.

Police reviewed the CCTV footage and identified the youngsters and facilitated their “rescue” from their respective residences in the Districts of Jaro, Molo, and La Paz immediately on February 10, 2025.

The cellphone of the victim was also recovered. Police said that the boys reasoned out they needed money for fare in going home. “Ang dahilan nila, naghahanap sila ng pamasahe pauwi sa kanilang bahay.

Sabi nga ng biktima, bibigyan naman sila, kaso ang kanilang pamamaraan, mali talaga yung ginawa,” said Police Lt. Romelo Tabuyoc, officer in charge of Iloilo City Police Station 1.

The CICLs are ages 15 years old to 17 years old. Two of them have cases in relation to the illegal drugs trade. The other three are facing murder, carnapping, and robbery cases.

Police said the five will be facing another case for robbery.

“Ang kabataang above 15 years old, below 18 years old pwedeng sampahan ng kaso. Hihingi lang tayo ng certificate of discernment sa ating CSWDO,” Tabuyoc added.

According to the management of “Balay Dalayunan,” the five will be placed under disciplinary action.

The youth home will also strengthen measures to avert a similar incident of CICLs in their custody.

“Lagyan ng combat wire dyan kino-construct na basketball court kasi parang isa yan sa mga dinadaanan sa pag-escape,” Rufel Valdevieso, center head of Balay Dalayunan, said.