Construction worker nabbed for alleged theft at Vigan cathedral

VIGAN CITY, ILOCOS SUR, Philippines — Police arrested a 36-year-old construction worker after he allegedly stole church donations and other items from the St. Paul Metropolitan Cathedral in Barangay 1 here early Sunday, Oct. 25.

The suspect, a resident of Zone 6, Sinapangan, in the municipality of Bangued, Abra, was apprehended at 5:55 a.m., according to local police.

Investigators said they received a report from a concerned citizen about a man on top of a scaffolding in front of the cathedral, near the statue of St. Paul. The suspect was reportedly carrying a plastic bag and a backpack.

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He was arrested after climbing down from the scaffolding supporting the front portion of the church.

READ: Abra earthquake exacts heavy toll on Ilocos heritage sites

Recovered from his bags were envelopes containing church donation money, a voltage tester, four damaged padlocks, steel pliers, a steel-cutting saw, two microphones, a small circular mirror, a cellphone and personal belongings.

READ: P675 million needed to restore cultural structures damaged by Luzon quake

Police also recovered a Suzuki Raider R125 motorcycle with plate number A5538T.

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An inventory and marking of the recovered items were conducted in the presence of the suspect, barangay officials and cathedral employees, who confirmed that the items belonged to the church.

The cathedral sustained damage during the magnitude 7.0 earthquake that struck Abra on July 27, 2022, prompting restoration work on the historic structure. Parts of its façade were damaged, with plaster and bricks falling from the building. /cb