Provincial Board members are mulling to conduct an ocular inspection at the Sta. Monica Parish Church in Alburquerque amid allegations of treasure hunting inside the 18th century structure.
The suggestion was made by Board Member Tomas Abapo Jr. to Fr. Justino Estoque Jr., the church’s administrator, after invited key personalities did not attend the assembly of the committee of the whole.
The session’s supposed guests, Alburquerque Mayor Elpren Tungol and Fr, Andy Ayco, former parish priest of the church, sent representatives instead.
However, Abapo noted that the Sangguniang Panlalawigan will still have to secure an approval from the Church’s leadership.
Also in attendance during the session were PO3 Jonathan Estoque, Albur police investigator; Fe Culiao, municipal engineer; and Albur LGU human resource officer Nomie Ricalde.
Following the key personalities’ failure to attend the session, the Provincial Board expressed willingness to continue discussions on the alleged treasure hunting inside the church which is more than a century old.
Meanwhile, Culiao confirmed that it ordered 401 Dev’t and Construction Corp. on September 19, 2016 to stop rehabilitation operations of the quake-hit church.
The operation was reportedly stopped while requirements needed to meet the National Building Code of the Philippines are being gathered.
The order was issued 13 days after the story on the alleged recovered 1,000 kilogram gold bullion was published on the website of the Philippine Daily Inquirer. (Rey Tutas)
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