15/06/2026
📱 THESE WERE THE PHOTOS TAKEN WHEN WE FINALLY RECOVERED THE PHONE.
Back in 2022, when I was still a paralegal, I experienced firsthand how crucial evidence preservation is.
After a night out, I was holding my friend's iPhone 13 Pro Max because he could no longer move properly. Since no ride-hailing service was available at the time, we boarded a regular taxi.
While inside the taxi, I distinctly felt someone take the phone from my lap. Despite being intoxicated and feeling sick, I knew exactly what had happened.
Fortunately, we immediately gathered evidence:
✅ Photo of the taxi's plate number
✅ Photo of the taxi company
✅ Activation of Find My iPhone
✅ Calls and a formal letter to the taxi operator
✅ Tracking the phone's location
The taxi driver initially denied any involvement. However, after we persisted and sought assistance from the barangay, the phone was traced to a repair shop. We later learned that the seller was allegedly the taxi driver himself, who sold the phone for only ₱8,000.
To their credit, the taxi company eventually apologized and dismissed the driver. It was later discovered that this was allegedly not his first time doing it. He specifically targeted intoxicated passengers whom he believed would be unable to remember details or report the incident.
At that time, I honestly thought I would have to shoulder the loss of a phone worth over ₱70,000.
The silver lining is that technology has improved significantly since then. Today, ride-hailing apps provide trip records, driver information, GPS history, and in-app reporting mechanisms, making it much easier to identify and report incidents.
The lesson remains the same:
📌 Preserve evidence immediately.
📌 Take photos and screenshots.
📌 Save plate numbers and company details.
📌 Use phone tracking features.
📌 Report to the barangay and police promptly.
📌 Contact your telco and coordinate with the NTC for blocking through the IMEI.
Many people think a lost phone is hopeless. In my experience, what often determines the outcome is not luck, it's how quickly evidence is preserved.
— Atty. Lawrence C. Lesangke
