Amorsolo painting recovered, says NBI

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) presents to the public the recovered Amorsolo painting on Friday, July 12, 2024. In an entrapment operation in Quezon City, two individuals who allegedly attempted to sell the prized artwork of national artist Fernando Amorsolo for P3.5 million was arrested. Photo from NBI

MANILA, Philippines — The stolen Fernando Amorsolo painting has been recovered, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said Friday.

NBI Director Jaime Santiago presented the recovered 1936 masterpiece of the national artist titled “Mango Harvesters,” which was snatched from the Hofileña Museum in Silay, City, Negros Occidental last week.

Santiago said an entrapment operation was hatched to catch people allegedly involved in the sale of the prized painting for P3.5 million, after receiving a tip from a certain “Atty. Ching.”

The entrapment operation was carried out on Thursday, July 11, at Tomas Morato in Quezon City, which resulted in the arrest of Ritz Chona Ching and Donecio Somaylo, who supposedly brought the stolen art for delivery.

READ: Fernando Amorsolo painting stolen from Silay City museum

Ching and Somaylo were brought for inquest proceedings before the Department of Justice. They are facing a complaint for violating Presidential Decree 1612 or the Anti-Fencing Law.

An inquest proceeding is a summary procedure to determine whether an individual arrested without a warrant will be released on account of a dismissal of charges, released for further preliminary investigation proceedings, or charged in court.

The Amorsolo painting was turned over to the National Museum of the Philippines for assessment purposes.

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National Museum Director-General Jeremy Barns personally inspected the painting and assured the NBI that it was indeed the stolen masterpiece. He then issued a certification, validating its authenticity, at the request of the NBI.

“We congratulate the NBI for safely retrieving the stolen painting and reaffirm our commitment to assisting our law enforcement agencies in any appropriate way,” the National Museum said.

“We look forward to the return of “Mango Harvesters” to its rightful owners and home at the Hofileña Museum and to the successful prosecution of all persons who were involved in the theft of this valuable piece of the nation’s cultural and artistic heritage,” it added.