No inside job in Redemptorist theft

CEBU, Philippines - The police have ruled out the possibility of an inside job in the burglary incident at the Redemptorist Church last Tuesday.

The Theft and Robbery Section has invited for questioning two staff of the church, a security guard, and a candle vendor who might have knowledge in the loss of nine pieces of gold jewelry inside the glass urn of the Sto. Niño image.

However, TRS chief William Alicaba said that the persons they have invited for investigation appeared to be innocent. Alicaba said that even the parish priest, Rev. Father Gerardo Matriano, does not believe that there was inside job in the incident.

“Nag-ampo na lang sila na ma-recover g’yud unta ang maong mga alahas. (They were just praying that the jewelry will be recovered),” said Alicaba.

He admitted that they don’t have any lead as of the moment as to the culprit’s identity. The police also admitted that it is difficult to identify the culprit because a lot of people are going in and out of the church and that no security camera was installed at the place.

Candle maker Felix Sarte discovered the loss at about 6 pm Tuesday while cleaning the image placed in a glass urn at the right side of the church’s main entrance.

Sarte immediately informed the guard, Presco Blanco, who claimed to have seen the items between 5 to 6 pm.

The unidentified thief destroyed the padlock of the glass housing and took the jewelry from the Sto. Niño. The stolen jewelry was estimated to be worth P100,000.

Alicaba has advised the church staff to replace the aluminum base of the glass casing with glass as well, since the aluminum base can be easily destroyed.

“Maniguro na lang g’yud sila kay wala na’y patawad ang mga kawatan karon. Way kahadlok nangawat bisan nag-atubang na sa altar,” Alicaba said.

Meanwhile, Alicaba said they are reopening the investigation on the burglary at San Pedro Calungsod Chapel at the South Road Properties.

He said the nun who has the key to the drawer, where the missing P100,000 cash and checks were kept, has committed to appear at their office and cooperate in the investigation. Alicaba said they are just waiting for the nun’s appearance.— /FPL (FREEMAN)