Baguio City — Police clarified that closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras installed in front of City Hall are operational, following claims on social media that the cameras were not working when a vehicle was robbed in the area late last week.

The Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) said the incident occurred between 8:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. on 27 December 2025, when a car parked near City Hall was broken into. The owner later discovered that thieves had smashed the vehicle’s window and stolen a camera along with its accessories.

The incident was reported to police and subsequently shared on social media, where the vehicle owner claimed authorities had said the CCTV cameras were turned off at the time of the robbery. The post drew widespread online reactions, with some netizens questioning Baguio City’s status as a Smart City.

BCPO Public Information Officer Marcy Grace Marron said the CCTV cameras in the area are functioning and were used to identify a person of interest in a recent car break-in case. She urged the public to refrain from immediately believing unverified online information.

Marron said the 27 December incident was the first recorded car break-in case in the city during the current Yuletide season.

She also advised motorists, particularly tourists, to park only in designated parking areas and in well-lit locations with CCTV coverage to reduce the risk of theft and similar incidents.