Probers doubt pandesal vendor’s story

MANILA, Philippines - Police officers investigating the alleged mugging of a pandesal vendor have expressed doubt after detecting inconsistencies in his story, an official said yesterday.

“We are not yet going to give any conclusion because the probe is still being conducted. But we are now seeing some inconsistencies in the statement and the indifferent reactions of the boy to the investigation,” Caloocan City police chief Senior Superintendent Ariel Arcinas told The STAR.

He said the 12-year-old boy and his mother “have apparently lost interest in the robber and been avoiding any questions… that would help identify” the mugger.

Arcinas said several men have been presented to the boy but the vendor could not remember the man who robbed him.

A video of the boy crying and sitting on the sidewalk of a commercial area in Deparo, after he was allegedly robbed of P200 he earned from selling pandesal, became viral and caught the attention of the city government.

Mayor Oscar Malapitan gave the boy’s mother financial assistance, goods to start a small business and a bicycle. He ordered the city police to investigate the case and promised a P50,000 reward for information leading to the capture of the mugger. 

He said if the boy was indeed lying, he will not take back what he has given to the family.

 “I just did what I had to do as a father of the city. However, it is sad to note that every one of us was taken for a ride,” he said.

A source said the boy may have lied because he lost or spent the money and did not want to tell his mother, who would reportedly beat him up.

The same source said it was the third time the boy claimed he was robbed.

Arcinas said the alleged robbery took place in a busy area where several traffic enforcers are stationed. The enforcer who responded to the scene said the boy kept giving conflicting statements on the direction the mugger fled.

Arcinas said they are still studying if the mother of the boy should face charges for beating up her son and if the boy should be brought to a psychologist.