Photo courtesy of Balita

Authorities in Cebu City have recovered 154 mobile phones believed to be stolen, including several missing during the Sinulog Festival, from a local repair shop. The Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) acted after receiving complaints from four individuals whose phones disappeared during the festival. Using the “find me” feature, police traced the devices to a shop on Leon Kilat Street selling secondhand gadgets, according to Cebu City police chief Col. George Ylanan.

Police discovered four backpacks filled with smartphones hidden on the shop's second floor. The recovered phones included those belonging to the initial complainants. The shop's suspected owner was arrested for allegedly violating the Anti-Fencing Law, which prohibits dealing in stolen goods.

Col. Ylanan suggested that the phones might have been stolen during the Sinulog Festival or in the days leading up to it. Since the raid, several individuals have visited the Cebu City Police Office to identify and claim their missing phones. Ylanan emphasized the police's proactive approach: “Here in Cebu City, it is not just up to blotter. We will find, we are doing intensive follow-up operations."

Looking ahead, further investigations are expected to uncover more details about the operation, including whether other stolen items are involved. The police encourage those who suspect their devices were stolen to check with authorities, reported Balita.

Key Takeaways

• Cebu City Police recovered 154 allegedly stolen phones from a repair shop.

• The finds were traced using a location feature on the devices.

• The shop owner was arrested for violating the Anti-Fencing Law.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now from Balita 2026-01-21

 

 

Well done the police. And to the phone companies for adding the "find" function.

Reason #101 why Sinulog is the absolute worst time to be in Cebu.