The centuries-old parish was declared an archdiocesan shrine in September 2003.
Parish priest Msgr. Jose Montecillo lamented the slow police response, saying that had they immediately responded to their call they might have caught the thief.
But Senior Insp. Crisanto Duque said they did not immediately receive the report of the burglary. He also said his men were conducting a checkpoint, as ordered by the Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO).
The CPPO launched Oplan Sita, a schedule of checkpoints in time for the 12th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) summit next week.
Municipal Councilor Prudencio Canada, chairman of the committee on peace and order and police matters, was the one who informed the police.
He also said only one policeman was on duty and was wearing only an undershirt.
Police believe someone used a stone to break the glass case where the image was displayed and took the necklace.
The necklace, made of 20-carat gold, had two gold medallions.
Gift
It was a gift from Montecillo’s benefactor 12 years ago, when he became a monsignor.
He estimates the necklace is worth P25,000.
Montecillo said he placed it on the icon because he was not using it and hoped the parishioners would appreciate seeing the icon with a gold necklace.
He did not think anybody would attempt to steal anything because the place where the icon is displayed is well-lit.
Despite the burglary, Montecillo said the image will remain on display outside the church because this is where parishioners go to seek help.
“Nada lang tingali to siya sa dautang hunahuna (Maybe he was just tempted),” he said.
The man was reportedly not more than 30 years old and was wearing a white T-shirt. But the witness did not have a good look at him.
Montecillo said he was saying mass at the time of the burglary as he has a daily mass at 4:30 a.m.
On the report that a policeman was only wearing an undershirt while on duty, Duque said his men were wearing white T-shirts and not undershirts because they just came from the checkpoint.
CPPO Director Vicente Loot said he will look into the complaint.
He said, though, that policemen were authorized to wear half uniform during the wee hours.
However, these should not be sleeveless shirts and they should still be wearing their uniform pants.
But when they are on duty, all must be in uniform.
He was concerned about the report because all stations are supposed to be on alert for the Asean summit. MEA
