GENERAL TRIAS, Cavite — Several minors — including a nine-year-old — were allegedly involved in the theft of two motorcycles from a motorcycle shop in Barangay Santiago, according to police authorities.

The children in conflict with the law (CICL) were identified through aliases: Jay (16), Tahniel (13), Chokoy (11), Burnok (12), Kalbo (13), Junior (9), and Yuri (13). The shop owner discovered the break-in around 5:00 a.m., noticing drawers left open, scattered keys, and a destroyed padlock on the main gate. Two motorcycles were missing from the establishment.

Through CCTV footage, investigators traced the suspects. Later that evening, the parents of Jay and Tahniel voluntarily surrendered them to authorities along with the recovered motorcycles.

Initial investigation revealed that two minors allegedly broke the gate’s lock and took the vehicles while the others acted as lookouts. The surrendered children are now under the custody of the City Social Welfare and Development Office, while authorities continue to locate the remaining individuals involved.

The incident shocks many not simply because of theft — but because of the age of those involved. A nine-year-old participating in a coordinated property crime forces society to confront uncomfortable questions. At that age, children are expected to learn right from wrong, yet they are also products of environment, guidance, and exposure.

Criminal behavior among minors rarely appears overnight. It often reflects gaps — supervision gaps, education gaps, economic gaps, and sometimes emotional neglect. While accountability remains necessary, punishment alone cannot address why children reach a point where stealing a motorcycle becomes an acceptable idea.

If children commit adult crimes, society faces a dilemma: respond only with legal consequences, or examine the conditions that produced the behavior. So we must ask: When a child breaks the law, who truly failed first — the child, the family, or the system meant to protect them? (Larawan mula sa: Chron / Facebook)