Century-old bell stolen from Iloilo town church

AJUY, ILOILO, Philippines— Police are still facing a blank wall on the identities of the thieves who stole the century-old bell from the belfry of the San Nicolas de Tolentino Parish Church in this town, located in the northern coast of Iloilo province.

Ajuy Police investigator SPO1 Bernabe Serilla said that while they have not yet found leads to pin down any suspect, the police could not also rule out the possibility of an inside job.

"Most probably, the thieves have knowledge of the church lay-out. They studied how to move (the bell) down the narrow stairs," he said, surmising that there could be more than one of them considering that the bell weighed around 15 to 20 kilos.

The bell was just attached to a hook and neither was chained nor locked, like in other churches, said Serilla, adding that the loss was discovered early morning of last Sunday when the church was preparing for the Holy Mass.

According to Rev. Fr. Clasico Nufable, the bell was "unique" because it rang with a sound distinct from the usual of other bells.

Inscribed on the bell was the name San Nicholas de Tolentino Parish Church and 1895, the year it was made. (FREEMAN)