15-year-old allegedly wounds pump attendant in Manila, claims he won't face jail time

A 15-year-old boy was surrendered on Saturday to the authorities by his own mother after he threw a broken glass at a pump attendant of a gas station in Sampaloc, Manila.

In a viral video, the boy is seen running after the attendant and trying to attack him with a piece of broken glass. After throwing the glass and wounding the victim, the boy boards a jeepney and escapes.

“Masyadong matapang ‘yung bata e. Kahit kami natakot kami e parang palaban na palaban siya e,” said video uploader Marco Deveza in a “24 Oras” report of Gabriel Gonzales on Monday.

(The kid was too bold. We were terrified because he seemed so aggressive.)

“Ang last word na narinig ko sa kaniya ay parang ‘kahit saksakin kita e hindi ako makukulong’ so nagulat ako talagang vinideo ko na siya,” Deveza added.

(The last words I heard from him were, ‘Even if I stab you, I won't go to jail.’ I was so shocked that I immediately started recording him.)

Another witness said the boy allegedly boarded a Balic Balic–Quiapo-bound jeepney.

According to the victim, he asked the teenager to leave for allegedly causing trouble at the gas station.

“Kasi po naka-ban po dito sa 'min ‘yon dahil binabalahura po niya yung CR namin. Tapos yung mga nakaparadang jeep ninanakawan po niya,” the victim said.

(We banned him from here because he was defacing our restroom. On top of that, he was stealing from the parked jeepneys.)

The victim was wounded at the top of his right forearm.

In a video of the Manila Police District (MPD), the teenager cursed and uttered threats while he was being surrendered by his mother.

“Sasaksakin kita, 'kala mo,” the 15-year-old said.

(I'll stab you, you'll see.)

Authorities debunked claims of the teenager that he would not be jailed because he is a minor.

“Hindi totoo na hindi ka pupwede makulong base doon sa edad mo. Depende ‘yon sa gravity ng offense. Kapag nalaman na he acted with discernment o alam niya ‘yung ginagawa niya maaari siyang makulong,” MPD Spokesperson P/Maj. Philipp Ines said.

(It is not true that you cannot be jailed just because of your age. It depends on the gravity of the offense. If it is proven that he acted with discernment — meaning he knew what he was doing — he can be imprisoned.)

Under a Manila ordinance, the MPD Spokesperson said parents and guardians face penalties if their children repeatedly engage in unlawful acts.

“Tinatawag natin na ‘Responsibile Parenting in the City of Manila,’ kung saan ‘yung mga minor na nai-involve sa paulit-ulit na insidente, ‘yung pang-apat na beses, ang mananagot na dito ang magulang o ang guardian,” Ines said.

(We have what we call 'Responsible Parenting in the City of Manila,' where parents or guardians are held liable if a minor is involved in repeated incidents, specifically by the fourth offense.)

“Depende ito sa edad ng bata, mas mababa 'yung edad ng bata, mas mataas ‘yung penalty,” Ines added.

(It depends on the child's age. The younger the child is, the higher the penalty for the parents.) — Lyjah Tiffany Bonzo/BAP, GMA News