Burglars strike at Compostela church

CEBU, Philippines - A church in barangay Poblacion, Compostela town lost at least P200,000 worth of valuables to theft early morning of Monday.

One of the four caretakers of the Shrine of St. James de Apostle discovered the burglary at around 5:00 in the morning of the same day while he was preparing for the first mass that was to be officiated by Fr. Reynante Beltran.

Lost were a Yamaha amplifier to worth P100,000; a Sakura amplifier P5,000; and two Yamaha equalizers valued at P50,000.

Investigator PO2 Arni Goc-ong said the burglary happened at around 3:00 a.m. and that two robbers were involved.

The back door of the church was found forced open.

A witness, whom police refuse to identify, said he had seen a man standing outside the church as if waiting for somebody.

“Wala lang to niya tagda kay wa man siya kaila. Possibly mao to ang lookout. Wa ta kahibalo,” Goc-ong said in a phone interview.

No evidence was recovered in the crime scene.

Goc-ong said all the church’s four caretakers will be investigated.

Meanwhile, a woman lost a laptop and pieces jewelry she left inside her room in Dagohoy Street, barangay Apas late Tuesday evening.

Jessica Belhot, 27, arrived home from work at 9 p.m. that day and then realized she was robbed.

Police found jalousie window blades detached and a door open.

Other things missing were a digital camera, a set of Swarovski jewelry, a diamond ring and earrings, gold earrings, and a gold necklace.  - THE FREEMAN