A 21-year-old woman turned in her 24-year-old brother to barangay officials after he allegedly stole and sold her valuable cellphone to fund his online gambling habit, authorities said.
The Incident
The incident occurred on June 23, 2026, in Upper Laguerta Tarcom, Barangay Lahug, Cebu City. The suspect, identified only by the alias “Ben,” 24, is unemployed and a resident of the area. The victim is his younger sister, alias “Mae,” 21, who works as a waitress.
According to the police investigation, Mae sought help from barangay tanod (village watchmen) after discovering that her brother had taken her phone. The suspect was immediately apprehended and brought to the Mabolo Police Station, where he faces theft charges.
Confession and Details
In an interview with authorities, the suspect admitted to taking and selling the phone in Colon. The phone, valued at approximately P47,000, was sold for only P1,800 and could not be recovered. Ben confessed that he used part of the proceeds to buy food and the rest to cash into his online gambling account for the game “scatter.”
Police are continuing their investigation as they prepare a formal case against the suspect.
