Bishop’s manor robbed

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya — Bayombong Bishop Ramon Villena lost more than P100,000 worth of valuables to robbers who ransacked his office inside the multi-million clergy house here Friday.

According to police investigators, the thieves took the bishop’s laptop computer, an airconditioning unit, a video cassette player/recorder, an electronic typewriter and a manual typewriter.

Investigation disclosed that the robbers cut through the perimeter wire fence at the back of the sprawling clergy house and then forcibly entered Villena’s office at the first floor through the backdoor.

Police said that at least two persons were involved in the robbery based on the footprints and fingerprints gathered. No suspects have yet been identified.

Jimmy del Rosario, the bishop’s driver and aide, said he discovered the break-in at around 6 a.m. as he was turning off the lights in different parts of the building.

According to an employee of the diocesan office, one Analyn Aniceto, a certain "mystery man" visited the diocesan office that day and inquired if he could inspect the office’s windows. The man, said to be in his mid-30s, allegedly told her that his wife wanted their house to have windows just like those of the diocesan office.

Aside from being the official residence of Villena, the vast diocesan three-story clergy building also houses the other members of the clergy of the diocese of Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino and its vicar general.

Bishop Villena is reportedly still in Rome. — Charlie Lagasca