Vandalism at St. Michael the Archangel Church: Who did this?

The statue of St. Raphael the Archangel is knocked over at the St. Michael the Archangel Parish Church in Argao, southern Cebu. | contributed photo

CEBU CITY, Philippines—Two images of saints at the Archdiocesan Shrine and Parish of Saint Michael the Archangel in Argao town, southern Cebu were damaged in an act of vandalism by still unknown person/s on Wednesday, May 12, 2021.

The blasphemous act was reported to the Argao Police Station at around 6 a.m. on Monday by priests of the iconic Roman Catholic church.

Patrolman Jed Perocho, desk officer of the Argao Police Station, confirmed the incident. He said statues that were damaged were those of St. Raphael and the town’s patron-saint, St. Michael the Archangel.

“Ang gitumba ana kadtong St. Raphael nga santos, gitumba siya. Unya ang katong usa pod nga St. Michael nga santos, giputos mani siya ug bildo, ang bildo ra’y gibuak,” Perocho said.

(The one that was knocked over was that of St. Raphael. The statue of  St. Michael was covered with glass and that glass was shattered.)

Perocho said that the wings of the image of St. Raphael broke off as it fell while cracks were also seen in other parts due to the fall.

He said that they are still currently investigating the incident.

He did revealed that they are suspecting that a mentally ill person is responsible for this vandalism.

“Kaganihang kadlawn, mga ala-una or alas-dos gyud seguro to, naay boang diri nilabay murag gamaoy, pero duda namo mao gyud to,” he added.

(Early morning, probably at around 1 am or 2 am, there was a mentally ill person who passed by who seemed disturbed so we think he was the one.)

Perocho said they are currently looking at CCTV footage near the church in the hopes of identifying the culprit.

Argao police say that charges of malicious mischief will be filed against the person/s who will be proven guilty for this act.

/bmjo