A 12-year-old girl ran off with close to P100,000 in cash in Lapu-Lapu City.

Personnel of the Gender and Development (GAD) Office in Barangay Basak rescued the 12-year-old girl after she stole the money from a parked vehicle in Sitio Pakpakan, Barangay Basak morning on February 9, 2026.

Attendants of a convenience store in Sitio Pakpakan raised concern on the amount of cash the child had, as she was buying food past 11 a.m. on February 9.

A motorcycle-for-hire driver reported the concern to a “tanod” (village watchman), Marciano Lumungsod, who checked the site immediately, and chanced upon the child who had the money.

Lumungsod identified the child at once, being the same child rescued previously for a complaint on theft.

Meanwhile, the businessman who lost P99,000 reported the incident at the Barangay Hall.

He said he left the money in the car while he was buying “pusô” (cooked rice in coconut leaves casing), also called colloquially as “hanging rice.”

He said that he has P100,000 placed in an envelope, and kept in a compartment inside the vehicle.

He admitted to being complacent because the “pusô” stall was just across the parked car. He did not have it locked.

With the help of City Social Welfare Office personnel, the child owned up to taking the money from a parked car owned by the businessman.

Anne Nicolle Degamo, the social worker who assessed the situation of the child, said that the child was already rescued in November 2025 for theft.

According to Degamo, the child went through community-based intervention. However, after two sessions, the child did not come back.

The girl is the second child of a brood of eight. Their father, a construction worker, is deep into his vices.

Following the incident, the girl will be placed under behavioral assessment on February 23.

The businessman has praised Barangay Basak for the swift action to his complaint and the return of his money.