An official of the Dumaguete Diocese yesterday confirmed that the St. Catherine of Alexandria Cathedral had lost more than half a million pesos in cash to burglars early this week.

Msgr. Julius Heruela, parish priest and rector of the St. Catherine of Alexandria parish, however, declined to comment further on the robbery incident, saying that church officials will leave the investigation to police authorities.

Heruela said that, of the estimated P504,367,000 stolen, more than P100,000 were Mass collections from December 26 to January 1, while the rest were funds of the Parish Pastoral Council intended for various projects. The PPC is headed by Dumaguete City Administrator William Ablong, Heruela said.

The money, under lock and key in the accountant’s office, was discovered missing on Monday by Orsula Tayag, treasurer of the Cathedral parish and the PPC.

Tayag was scheduled to deposit the collections in the bank on that day.

Church officials immediately informed the police, Heruela said.

Initial police investigation revealed no signs of forced entry, and a possible inside job is being eyed.

Heruela declined to comment on the inside job angle but said all persons with access to the office will be included in the police investigation.*JFP

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