Report: Thieves steal from church donation box

Thieves took an undetermined amount of cash from a donation box inside a Catholic church in Ilocos Norte province, a Catholic news site reported on Friday. According to the Catholic News (CathNews) Philippines site, churchgoers at the St. William Cathedral in Laoag City were shocked to find the box forcibly opened and empty. “I was surprised why someone would do it. The person who did it has no fear in God," said Maryann Ramos, in an article posted on the CathNews Philippines website. The incident occurred as Philippine authorities warned the public against a rise in robbery and other cases of petty crimes during the Christmas season. Security guard on duty Geronimo Urduja declined to comment about the incident, the news site said. On the other hand, church officials said the cathedral’s rector, Fr. Policarpio Albano, is out of town for a retreat. Meanwhile, Laoag City police head Superintendent Sterling Blanco said the persons who stole the money could have been a "church insider" or churchgoer who is familiar with the contents of the box. Blanco said it was the second time the cathedral’s donation box was stolen. – VVP, GMANews.TV