In a remarkable turn of events, a government employee hailing from General Santos City successfully recovered his stolen iPhone, which was taken during a visit to a mall in Cebu City. The incident occurred on the afternoon of Sunday, January 18, 2026, coinciding with the vibrant Sinulog grand parade, a major cultural celebration in the region.
Witnessing Sinulog Leads to Unexpected Loss
According to the individual, who goes by the alias Rudy and is 41 years old, he was merely attending the Sinulog festivities as a spectator. However, upon entering a local mall, he discovered that his smartphone had gone missing. Rudy immediately sought assistance from mall security, requesting to review the nearby CCTV footage, but was informed that the cameras were not functioning at that time.
Revealing Government Connection Spurs Action
It was only after Rudy identified himself as a special project worker in the office of the president that mall personnel began to take more proactive steps. They advised him to file a police report, leading him to visit the station to document the theft officially. Rudy emphasized the critical nature of the documents stored on his device, which motivated his persistent efforts to retrieve it.
Police Raid Uncovers Multiple Stolen Phones
In a related development, the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) conducted a routine patrol on Tuesday, January 20, at a cellphone shop located on Leon Kilat Street in Barangay Pahina Central. During this operation, authorities confiscated a total of 154 iPhones and Android phones, all suspected to be stolen property. This raid proved instrumental in Rudy's recovery journey.
Social Media Discovery Leads to Reunion
After returning to General Santos City, Rudy stumbled upon social media posts showcasing the recovered phones from the CCPO raid. Upon closer inspection of the images, he recognized his iPhone by a distinctive logo on the back. Determined to reclaim his device, he made the decision to travel back to Cebu City, expressing profound gratitude to the police for their efficient work.
Rudy commended the CCPO, stating, "The police here in Cebu are highly skilled; they quickly recovered numerous stolen cellphones. I am extremely thankful that they provided justice for the victims, especially during the significant Sinulog celebration."
Ongoing Efforts to Return Stolen Property
The CCPO continues to urge owners who have lost cellular phones to visit their office and inspect the recovered units. As of the latest update, out of the initial 154 devices, 120 have been successfully claimed by their rightful owners, leaving only 34 remaining. This initiative highlights the police's commitment to combating theft and supporting the community during large-scale events like Sinulog.
