Two suspects broke into the Paing Elementary School in Bantay, Ilocos Sur on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, but failed to steal anything even after trying to force classrooms open.

CCTV footage showed the suspects, both wearing hoodies and masks, roaming the school grounds past 2 a.m. on September 16. They tried to open several classrooms but managed to break only into the school canteen after destroying its padlock.

“Almost lahat ng classroom in-attempt nilang buksan. Kasi naman sa school canteen namin ’di kami nag-iiwan ng cash. Noong pumasok na sila siguro uminom na sila ng juice, mga inumin, tsaka ’yung mga pagkain na nandun,” Paing Elementary School Principal Delfin Llagas said.

Police said the suspects may be minors who were also involved in previous thefts in Vigan City.

“Base po kasi sa kuha ng CCTV as compared sa mga nakitang CCTV malaki po ’yung pagkakahawig sa katawan po ng mga bata at lahat po sila is from Bantay. So ’yun po ang nakikita namin na sila rin po ’yung mga perpetrator sa Vigan at Bantay. So ang nangyari po is nai-turnover sila dito sa DSWD sa Bantay,” PCpt. Donaldson Pagalanan, chief of Bantay Police Station, said.

No valuables were stolen, but the school management will work with barangay officials to strengthen security in the area.

“’Yung krimen is mayroong tatlong aspeto — ’yung modus, kakayahan, at opportunity. ’Yung tinitignan po natin dito is mawala ’yung opportunity ng mga masasamang loob. Kailangan po nating i-secure ’yung mga ari-arian natin para hindi po tayo mabiktima ng pagnanakaw… at kung anu-ano pa,” Pagalanan said.