Members of an award-winning church choir lost over P600,000 in gadgets and cash to thieves during a performance at a luxury hotel in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig on Oct. 23.
Kammerchor Manila, a non-profit choral group, performed at about 3 p.m. at an event at Shangri-La The Fort when the theft happened.
Arvin John Garcia, president of Kammerchor Manila, told Manila Bulletin that thieves stole P674,000 worth of iPad and other tablets, cellular phones, laptops, and cash from 12 members of the choir.
Members of Kammerchor Manila at the event at Shangri-La The Fort in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig on Oct. 23 (Photo from Kammerchor Manila)
The incident happened at the Capiz room on the fourth floor of the hotel, which was used by the choir as a holding area where they placed their personal items before their performance.
Thieves stole the items while the choir members were performing in a function room just across the hall from the Capiz room.
“We were called kasi for our 1st song. So we were only gone for about 10 to 15 mins. Pagbalik namin wala na mga stuff namin (When we came back [to the room] our stuff was gone),” he said.
Garcia added that there were also other people on the same floor when the theft happened.
“And there were also civilians kasi and guests in the same floor. Meaning madali talaga siya mainfiltrate (Meaning it’s easy to infiltrate),” he said.
In a Facebook post, Kammerchor Manila said, “We tracked the stolen items and found them in Pampanga. While we trusted the venue, this unfortunate incident reminds us to stay cautious.”
Manila Bulletin sent an email to Shangri-La The Fort on Oct. 24 to get its side. The hotel has not responded as of this writing.
Kammerchor Manila reported the incident to the hotel and the Taguig Police.
“There were numerous phone calls made between us and Shangri-La’s security admin. Up to date, no actions made by the establishment,” said Garcia.