By I. Inojales | 1:42 AM February 27, 2026
TAGBILARAN CITY — The reward for information leading to the identification and arrest of the suspect in the recent theft involving Taiwanese tourists in Panglao has been increased to P150,000.
Gov. Erico Aristotle Aumentado announced the higher bounty on Thursday night, urging the public to cooperate and provide credible information that could help authorities track down the suspect.
The cash reward will be shouldered by the provincial government of Bohol.
The theft occurred on February 22, 2026, when an unidentified man took the bag of a Taiwanese couple while they were dining at a beachfront restaurant along Alona Beach. Later that evening, the couple’s cellphone was recovered after it was found discarded in a grassy area.
Authorities from the Philippine National Police, along with other government agencies and volunteers, continued searching for the remaining stolen items. On February 23, the couple traveled to Manila to report the incident to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, citing urgent work and appointment commitments back home.
On February 24, police recovered the couple’s passport after their bag was found abandoned near a school and a seafood restaurant in Panglao.
The couple has since safely returned to Taiwan and, in a video message, expressed gratitude to local officials and law enforcers for their assistance.
