Two sacks full of bras, panties, and other lower garments were found in a man's house following the revelation of an underwear thief in Cauayan City, Isabela on November 26, 2023.

Residents of Barangay District 1 in Cauayan City, Isabela, can now breathe a sigh of relief as the mystery surrounding the disappearance of their underwear has been solved. Local authorities traced the suspect, a neighbor of the victims, who had been stealing undergarments under the cover of darkness.

The suspect, known for his activities while intoxicated and during nighttime, targeted over 10 neighbors in the area. He would allegedly enter their homes and steal undergarments left hanging on clotheslines or in the garage.

"Ang sampayan namin sa mismong garahe namin, 'yung ibang damit hindi ko ma-notice kung nalalabhan ko. Sa pagkaalala ko, hindi ko nakikitang nalalabhan, nasa marumihan pa, nasa banyo," said one victim. 

According to Councilman Santiago Balmilero of Barangay District 1 the suspect's actions were discovered accidentally. A resident reported losing a charcoal stove, and during the investigation, the suspect was identified as the last person leaving the resident's house.

Upon further inspection, authorities discovered a substantial amount of stolen undergarments, including bras and panties, at the suspect's residence.

"Nag-flashlight silang ganyan, madilim bahay niya. Bumungad mga bra tapos noong nagpatawag ng barangay, pag-open sa bahay niya, totally bumungad, sandamakmak na panty, una pa doon 'yung nakaibabaw na bra ko na dalawa," the victim said. 

Despite the situation, the suspect was not charged. 

"Noong in-interrogate sa barangay, trip lang daw niya. Dami raw sa bahay niya, hinihigaan niya. Kinausap namin 'yung tao, napagkasunduan na umalis na lang siya sa lugar na 'yun," Balmilero says.

The recovered undergarments were returned to their owners at the Barangay Hall, with some opting to discard them due to hygiene concerns.