Two minors allegedly involved in the killing of a 19-year-old student during an alleged robbery in Tagum City, Davao de Norte were arrested on Wednesday, July 9, 2025.

The two were identified with the help of a CCTV footage from a neighbor. The video showed the suspects passing by the victim’s house repeatedly a day before the incident.

It was learned that the victim had just returned home from Manila where she was studying.

She was found dead later inside her bedroom with up to 38 stab wounds.

The suspects allegedly carted away several of her belongings, including a laptop, cellphone, tablet, and watch.

“Matud pa sa SOCO, ang cause of death is katong dinunggaban. Thirty-eight stab wounds ang ihap sa atong SOCO nga mao’y hinungdan sa iyang hinanaling kamatayon. Ang focus sa (samad) kay sa tiyan, pero naa pud dapit sa may liog niya,” Tagum City Police Station Chief, Lt. Col. Frederick Deles, said.

Police added that the victim’s parents who were in the adjacent room reportedly did not notice anything unusual at that time as there was no sign of disturbance.

Investigators believe the suspects may have gained entrance by opening forcibly the sliding glass window at the back of the house.

“Sa initial nga pag-interview nato sa mga dinakpan nga wala daw kalihok dayon ang biktima kay na-surprise pud sa ilaha, nabulaga pud ba. Unya sa ilahang huna-huna, kay nakit-an man ang ilang nawong, nahadlok sila nga ma-follow-up-an sila, madakpan sila. So, ilaha na lang gidunggab daw,” Deles added.

With the help of witnesses during hot pursuit operation, the 17-year-old and 14-year-old suspects were arrested at a rented boarding house.

Both suspects are residents of Davao de Oro and one of them has a previous record of involvement in a theft case.

Police added that two other suspects remain at large and are being pursued, as of this writing.

The suspects are facing robbery with homicide charges.

“Katong 17 years old kay pwede nato mapasakaan og kaso magkuha lang ta og discernment gikan sa CSWDO. Tapos kining isa, amo pang i-refer gyud sa CSWDO kay naa man ta’y balaod nga below 15 years old, dili pa mafile-an og kaso. Naga-coordinate ta karon sa Fiscal’s Office para maalalayan pud mi sa pag-file sa maong kaso,” Deles said.

Authorities said the victim’s parents are cooperating in the filing of charges against the suspects.