Police probers find gold ring with Talamban resident; Tabor chapel suspect says it’s ‘planted’

Police are set to file robbery charges against a man suspected of stealing jewelry in the Dec. 29 robbery at the Chapel of Holy Relics in Tabor Hill, barangay San Jose in Talamban, Cebu City.

Senior Inspector Jose Gesto, Talamban police chief, said priests of the Order of the Discalced Augustinians, the religious group which oversees the chapel, would press charges against Eliseo Cogtas who was arrested on Dec. 30.

One of three missing rings was recovered from Cogtas, said police.

But Cogtas, 50 denied stealing the jewelry hung in the glass case containing the statue of Sta. Rita de Cascia and relics of the 15th century saint.

He was arrested by police in his home in barangay Talamban.

“Planted man to. Ambot diin to nila nakuha. (The evidence was planted. I don’t know where they got that),” he said when asked about the ring reportedly found in his possession.

At least three rings and two necklaces worth around P600,000 was reported as stolen from the chapel on Sunday evening, while the staff were having a Christmas party.

In his cell in the Talamban Police Station, Cogtas denied taking the valuables and said he was at the house of his cousin in sitio Purok 2 in Talamban when the burglary took place.

“Wala koy kalibutan ana. Na-sorpresa ko nganong ila kong gidakop. (I don’t know what they are accusing me of. I’m surprised why they arrested me,” said Cogtas, a father of four. He said he’s oping the priests don’t press charges.

The lost jewelry were among the gifts offered t by grateful devotees of Sta. Rita, an Italian nun who died in the 15th century and is revered as patroness of “lost and impossible causes.”

The police chief said one witness, a chapel worker, saw Cogtas leaving the chapel on Sunday . When the worker asked him a question, Cogtas hurriedly walked away. The broken glass case of Sta. Rita was later discovered.

The chapel has no security camera. No one saw the actual robbery, said police.

Cogtas said he was convicted of theft in 1984 for snatching money, a crime he admits he actually did.

He, who said he earns rentals from eight occupants in his lot, said he is still looking for a lawyer.