Century-old brass bell recovered after theft from Bohol church

TAGBILARAN CITY — Authorities in Bohol have successfully recovered a historic brass bell more than a century old after it was stolen from Saint Peter the Apostle Parish Church in Loboc town.

The bell, believed to have been cast in 1914, was located after police tracked its sale to a scrap-metal buyer in the province. The buyer had paid P17,000 for the artifact, unaware of its historical significance and the circumstances of its sale.

Investigations revealed the bell had been taken from the Loboc Church, commonly known by the name of its municipality. The recovery marks a significant development in efforts to preserve the cultural and religious heritage of the region.

Police did not immediately disclose additional details regarding how the theft was discovered or the circumstances that led to the investigation. The recovery underscores ongoing concerns about the theft of religious artifacts and the importance of tracing stolen items through secondary buyers and dealers.