Reporting a Stolen Mobile Phone in the Philippines

How to request IMEI blocking and file a police report (complete guide)

Quick disclaimer: This is general information, not legal advice. Laws, penalties, and carrier/agency procedures evolve and may differ by locality or provider. When in doubt, consult a lawyer or contact your local police, your carrier, and the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) directly.

1) First things first: secure yourself and your data

Immediately (minutes to hours):

Lock or wipe the device remotely. • iPhone: Find My → Mark as Lost / Erase iPhone • Android: Find My Device → Secure Device / Erase Device
Change passwords for email, social media, banking, and any apps with stored cards; revoke old app sessions.
Disable mobile wallet & cards used on the device (GPay/Apple Pay, banking apps).
Turn off call/SMS forwarding and remove the device from trusted-authenticator lists (e.g., 2FA apps).
Document everything: the time/place of theft, screenshots of device location attempts, messages from the thief, and any CCTV sources.

Within 24 hours:

Suspend your mobile line(s) and request IMEI blocking from your carrier (details in §3).
File a police blotter (details in §4).
Alert your company DPO/IT if the phone contains work data (see §7).

2) Understand the basics: SIM suspension vs. IMEI blocking

SIM suspension/termination stops use of your number (voice/SMS/data) and prevents charges or OTP interception. You can usually replace the SIM/eSIM with the same number after verification.
IMEI blocking targets the handset itself. Once blacklisted, the device should not register on participating Philippine networks even with a different SIM.
- Dual-SIM phones have two IMEIs—submit both.
- IMEI is on the box/receipt or in device settings; you may also have photos/emails from purchase.

Tip: Keep photos or scans of your box/receipt (showing IMEI/serial) in a cloud drive. They are gold when you need to prove ownership.

3) Ask your carrier to block the IMEI (and your line)

Who to contact: Your provider’s customer support (Globe, Smart/PLDT, DITO, etc.), by hotline, in-store, or official online channels.

Tell them you need two things:

Immediate suspension/deactivation of your SIM/eSIM/line, and
IMEI blacklisting of the stolen device.

What they typically ask for:

Valid government ID (and account authentication if postpaid).
Proof of ownership of the device (receipt, box with IMEI sticker, warranty card, purchase confirmation email).
The IMEI number(s) of the device.
Police blotter or sworn statement (see §4 and templates in §11). Some carriers will accept an affidavit of loss/theft pending a formal blotter.

What to request/confirm in writing:

A ticket/transaction number and date/time of IMEI blocking.
Whether the block is network-wide (recognized by other PH carriers) or provider-only, and how long the block remains active.
The unblocking procedure if you recover the device (requirements often mirror the blocking requirements).

Note on reality: In practice, IMEI blacklisting coverage depends on inter-operator coordination. Always push for cross-network blocking via the carrier’s coordination with the NTC.

4) File a police report (blotter) and, if needed, a complaint-affidavit

Where: Your local PNP station with jurisdiction over where the theft occurred. If the crime involved online elements (extortion, account takeovers), you can also coordinate with the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG).

Bring:

Government ID.
Incident details (date, time, place, description of the thief, witnesses, any CCTV).
Device proof (receipt, box with IMEI, photos of the device).
Carrier confirmation (if available) that IMEI blocking/SIM suspension was requested.
Screenshots (device location pings, chats with seller/thief, marketplace listings).

What to get from police:

Blotter entry number and a certified true copy of the blotter (carriers and insurers often require this).
If pursuing the case, execute a Complaint-Affidavit (your sworn narrative, with exhibits) for filing with the City/Provincial Prosecutor.

Key legal angles (simplified):

Theft (no violence/intimidation; e.g., pickpocketing) vs. Robbery (with violence or intimidation).
Snatching can be either theft or robbery depending on facts (e.g., force on the person).
Fencing (buying/selling/possessing stolen goods) can apply to resellers under the Anti-Fencing Law (PD 1612).
Penalties for theft/robbery scale with the item’s value; amounts were updated by RA 10951.
If the thief used your device/accounts to commit computer-related offenses (e.g., identity theft or fraud), relevant provisions of RA 10175 (Cybercrime) and RA 8484 (Access Devices Regulation) may apply.

Practical tip: Ask nearby establishments for CCTV. Managers commonly release footage to police or upon formal request/subpoena.

5) Escalate to the NTC (when and why)

If your carrier refuses or unduly delays IMEI blocking—or you want added assurance of cross-network blocking—prepare a packet for the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) or its regional office:

Typical contents:

Letter/request for IMEI blacklisting with narrative of events.
Copy of police blotter or sworn affidavit.
Proof of ownership (receipt, box IMEI, photos) and your government ID.
Carrier ticket showing you already requested blocking.
IMEI numbers (both, if dual-SIM).

NTC can call on carriers to ensure a handset is on the national/shared blacklist, improving the odds that the device stays unusable across networks.

6) What if you can see the phone’s location?

Do not personally confront a suspected thief or enter private premises.
Share live updates and screenshots with the PNP; let them plan any approach.
Police may need additional legal authority (e.g., a warrant) to enter a dwelling; recoveries in public places are more straightforward.

7) Data-privacy and breach considerations

Personal accounts: You, as a private individual, have no legal duty to notify regulators. Just lock down accounts and watch for identity theft.
If you’re an organization (PIC/PIP under the Data Privacy Act): A theft of a company-issued phone can be a personal data breach—your Data Protection Officer should assess risk and, if warranted, notify the National Privacy Commission (NPC) within prescribed timelines.
Keep a breach log: what data was on the phone, whether it was encrypted, and what remediation you performed.

8) Banking, wallets, and online marketplaces

Notify your banks/e-wallets to flag suspicious logins/transactions; ask about card reissuance.
If stolen through an online meet-up or marketplace, preserve chat logs, profile links, payment records, and ads; include them in your police complaint.
If your credit card or access devices were used, dispute promptly and reference RA 8484 where applicable.

9) Insurance and employer policies

Check device insurance (often an add-on to postpaid plans or credit cards). Insurers typically require a police report and proof of ownership within a set period.
For company-owned devices, report to IT/DPO immediately; follow internal incident and replacement policies.

10) If you recover the device

Ask your carrier (and, if involved, the NTC) about IMEI unblocking.
Expect to submit: ID, proof of ownership, and a request letter (and sometimes proof that the investigation is resolved).
If the device is evidence in a criminal case, coordinate with the prosecutor/police before reclaiming or altering it.

11) Ready-to-use templates (customize as needed)

Formatting notes: Sign in the presence of a notary public. Attach copies of your ID and exhibits (receipt, IMEI photos, screenshots). Replace bracketed items with your details.

A) Request to Carrier for SIM Suspension & IMEI Blacklisting

[Date]

[Carrier Name / Store or Support Channel]
[Branch/Office/Email]

Subject: Request to Suspend SIM/eSIM and Blacklist IMEI – Stolen Mobile Phone

I am [Full Name], of legal age, Filipino, with address at [Address], contact number [Alt Number/Email].
My mobile number is [09xx-xxxxxxx], account type [Prepaid/Postpaid, Account No. if any].

On [Date, Time], at [Location], my mobile phone was stolen. Details:
• Brand/Model: [e.g., Apple iPhone 13]
• IMEI 1: [IMEI1]
• IMEI 2 (if any): [IMEI2]
• Serial No. (if available): [Serial]
• SIM/eSIM ICCID (if available): [ICCID]

I request the immediate:
1) Suspension/termination of service for the above line(s); and
2) Blacklisting of the above IMEI(s) across all Philippine networks if possible.

Attached are copies of my valid ID, proof of device ownership, and the police blotter/affidavit. 
Kindly provide written confirmation of the suspension and IMEI blacklisting, including reference/ticket number and effectivity.

Thank you.

[Signature over Printed Name]

B) Affidavit of Loss/Theft (for Carrier/NTC/Insurer)

(Use “loss” if you truly lost it; use “theft/robbery” if taken by another person. Adjust the facts accordingly.)

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
CITY/MUNICIPALITY OF ______ ) S.S.

AFFIDAVIT OF [LOSS/THEFT]

I, [Full Name], Filipino, of legal age, [civil status], and residing at [Address], after being duly sworn, depose and state:

1. I am the owner of one (1) [Brand/Model/Color] mobile phone bearing IMEI [IMEI1] [and IMEI2], with serial number [Serial], purchased on [Date] from [Store], as evidenced by the attached documents.

2. On [Date] at around [Time], while at [Location], the said mobile phone was [lost/stolen]. [Briefly narrate circumstances: e.g., taken from my bag without my knowledge; snatched by an unknown person who fled on foot, etc. Include any witnesses or CCTV.]

3. I immediately attempted to locate/lock the device via [Find My/Find My Device], reported the incident to [PNP Station/NTC/Carrier], and requested suspension of my SIM/eSIM and blacklisting of the device’s IMEI.

4. I am executing this Affidavit to attest to the foregoing facts and to support my request(s) to my carrier/NTC/insurer and for any legal purpose it may serve.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this ___ day of __________, 20___ at __________, Philippines.

[Affiant’s Signature over Printed Name]

SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this ___ day of __________, 20___ in __________, Philippines, affiant exhibiting to me [ID Type/Number].
[Notary Public]

C) Complaint-Affidavit (for filing with the Prosecutor if pursuing charges)

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
CITY/MUNICIPALITY OF ______ ) S.S.

COMPLAINT-AFFIDAVIT

I, [Full Name], Filipino, of legal age, [civil status], and residing at [Address], after being duly sworn, depose and state:

1. I am the owner of a [Brand/Model, IMEI1/IMEI2, Serial], valued at approximately ₱[value], as shown by [receipt/box IMEI], attached as Annex “A”.

2. On [Date/Time] at [Location], [identify act: the respondent(s) did willfully and unlawfully take my mobile phone without my consent / with violence/intimidation by …].

3. I identified the respondent(s) as [name/description if known], and I attach supporting evidence as Annexes “[B…]” (CCTV, screenshots, chats, device location logs).

4. By these acts, respondent(s) committed the crime of [THEFT under Art. 308 / ROBBERY under Art. 294] of the Revised Penal Code, and possibly [FENCING under PD 1612 / relevant cyber or access-device offenses], to the damage and prejudice of the undersigned.

WHEREFORE, premises considered, I respectfully pray that this Complaint be given due course and that the corresponding Information(s) be filed against respondent(s).

[Affiant’s Signature over Printed Name]
SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN… [Notary / Prosecutor]

12) FAQs

Q: Can a blacklisted phone still be used abroad? A: If the IMEI is only blocked domestically, it may still work outside the Philippines. If the device appears on broader databases, it may be blocked elsewhere too. Assume domestic blocking first, unless you get written confirmation of wider blocking.

Q: Can carriers “track” my phone and tell me where it is? A: Carriers see network activity tied to a SIM/IMEI, but location data disclosure is regulated and usually requires law-enforcement coordination/legal process. Share any app-based location data with police instead.

Q: Do I need a police blotter to block the IMEI? A: Many carriers will proceed with blocking based on identity verification and an affidavit, but a blotter is often requested—and it’s essential for insurance or prosecution.

Q: What if I only “lost” the phone (wasn’t stolen)? A: Use “loss” in your affidavit; still suspend your SIM and request IMEI blocking to protect data and deter misuse.

Q: How long does IMEI blocking last? A: Policies vary. Ask your carrier (and NTC if applicable) and keep your ticket/reference number.

13) Handy checklist

Remote lock/wipe done; passwords and 2FA reset
Wallets/banks/cards notified; suspicious sessions revoked
Carrier contacted; SIM suspended and IMEI block requested (ticket # saved)
Police blotter filed; certified copy secured
NTC escalation prepared (if needed)
Evidence pack compiled (IMEI proof, receipt, screenshots, CCTV leads)
Employer/insurer notified (if applicable)

If you want, tell me your carrier and city, and I’ll tailor the steps and documents to what local stations and that provider usually ask for.