ANGELES CITY -- A suspected robber has reportedly attempted to trade the cellphone he had stolen from a 16-year-old girl for pack of shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride).

Balibago Chairman Tony Mamac said on Wednesday that they had received reports that a man is offering a cellphone at a known lair of illegal drug pushers at Hadrian Street in Barangay Balibago.

"As per experience, we had arrested several persons in possession of stolen cellphones exchanging for illegal drugs," Mamac said.

Acting on the report, the village chief said a team belonging to the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC), headed by Councilman Mckoy Marcos responded into the area and recovered the stolen mobile phone.

Unfortunately, the suspect was able to run away after sensing the barangay authorities arrived in the area and pursuing him.

"After we contacted the owner, this afternoon they came in my office and presented the receipts and other documents and claimed the cellphone unit. The owner is a 16-year old high school student from Mabalacat, Pampanga," Mamac said.

The barangay official said the girl was busy attending their sari-sari store when her mobile phone was stolen.

"Congratulation to our BADAC team specially to our working public servants, Kagawad Mackoy Marcos, Nards Nicdao, Arnold Ibay, Ando Yambao, and Bong Reyes," Mamac said. "Kung ang mga barangay kikilos, bayan at mamamayan aayos."