CEBU CITY — 154 cell phones that were allegedly stolen in Cebu City, including those that were misplaced during the Sinulog Festival, were found by police in a cellphone repair shop.

Four complainants reportedly came to the Cebu City police for help after losing their phones during the festival.

According to Cebu City police head Col. George Ylanan, a “find me” feature on the phones directed authorities to a cellphone repair shop on Leon Kilat Street that also sells secondhand gadgets.

In the shop’s second floor, officers discovered four backpacks stuffed with smartphones. The four complainants’ phones were among the gadgets.

One individual who was thought to be the store’s proprietor was taken into custody by the police for either anti-fencing or reselling stolen goods.

Ylanan noted that the recovered phones might have been stolen both days before and during the celebration.

To examine and retrieve their pilfered phones, a number of people have flocked to the Cebu City Police Office.

Ylanan said, “Here in Cebu City, it is not just up to blotter. We will find, we are doing intensive follow-up operations.”

The CCPO has begun the process of verifying serial numbers and IMEI records to match the recovered phones with police blotter entries. Owners who reported missing phones during Sinulog are encouraged to visit their local police station and bring proof of ownership, such as purchase receipts, box serial numbers, or personal identification.

Police reminded the public to remain vigilant during large gatherings and to avoid using mobile phones openly in extremely crowded areas.

Despite the incidents, authorities noted that overall peace and order during Sinulog remained “generally manageable,” citing the quick response of security forces and the cooperation of the public.

The phones that the four complainants had reported missing were among the devices. The quantity of seized goods indicated that a large number of festival attendees might have been the victims of theft.

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