Vizcaya church loses equipment to robbers

SOLANO, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines – Thieves broke into an Aglipayan Church here about midnight yesterday and divested it of several valuables worth some P20,000.

Rev. Charina Baltazar said the church lost two power amplifiers, five microphones and two electric extension cords.

The church, also called the Philippine Independent Catholic Church or Iglesia Filipina Catolica Independiente is just adjacent to the Roman Catholic Church along Dangulian Street, Poblacion North and only about 200 meters from the nearest police outpost along the national highway.

Rev. Baltazar and several church members discovered the theft early morning yesterday.

“It’s a good thing that the thieves were not able to steal other valuable items like our antique bells, chalice and electric organ since we put them in a safe place while our church is undergoing renovation,” she said.

Police said that the thieves most probably entered through a window in the church façade immediately above the tomb of the late Bishop Enrique Paz Lagasca, whose remains are interred inside.    – Charlie Lagasca