CRIMINALS IN CHURCH. Security personnel at the Basilica gave stern warning to churchgoers to watch out for their belongings even inside the church. They said that there are many pickpockets and snatchers that take advantage of the thick crowd inside the church to steal valuable belongings of churchgoers. There are even criminals, they said, who would slash the bags open. A security guard said, “Di lang ka kabantay kay abi nimo babaye nga manimbahay ra sab, pero kining mga bayhana maoy manglaslas sa inyong bag.”
HOLD ON TO BAGS, NOT BF. While churchgoers in the Basilica were on their way out after the mass, the security personnel were again heard warning churchgoers to hold on to their bags. One security guard was even heard saying, “Pasagdi lang nang inyong uyab. Siguroha og gunit ang inyong bag. Kay ang inyong uyab katultol man na sa inyo, ang inyong bag, makit-an lang nya na ninyo nga gilabay na sa kanal.”