THE image of Sto. Niño and the sacristy at Sto. Niño Parish and Shrine located at BBB-Galo Streets in Barangay 20, Bacolod City was burned by an unidentified person at August 17, said Reverend Fr. Tomas Rito said Monday, August 20.
The fire emanated from the cabinet located inside the sacristy where the priest’s mass vestments were kept.
The initial findings were caused by faulty electrical wiring but it was later found out an unknown person came in and set the fire at the cabinet.
"What is sad and unfortunate was the image of Santo Nino was damaged by fire," Rito said.
Rito added: “The image was placed there because we already prepared to be used in the coming Friday for ‘palapak’ (step on) wherein Catholics come to the church and we use the base of the statue to carefully press on the head of devotees who seek miracle healing.”
“We really do not know the motive of that somebody who is responsible for such a cruel act,” he said.
They were just grateful that the other Sto. Niño image, which has a relic of the oldest Sto. Niño image brought by Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, was intact and safe.