Stolen Fernando Amorsolo painting returns home to Negros Occidental Museum
Mango Harvesters, the painting by National Artist Fernando Amorsolo that was stolen, has returned to the Hofileña Museum in Silay City, Negros Occidental.
The Hilofeña Museum unveiled the lost painting, which was recovered after it was stolen in July 2024, at an event on April 25. It also thanked those involved in the recovery.
Built in 1934 by the late Manuel Severino Hilofeña and Gilda Ledesma Hojilla, the museum houses a private art collection including antiques and artworks by Amorsolo, Juan Luna, and Jose Rizal, among others.
The 88-year-old Amorsolo painting was recovered by the National Bureau of Investigation in July 2024, just days after it was stolen from the Hofileña Museum on July 3, at 10:50 a.m.
NBI said it arrested two individuals in Quezon City who were involved in the theft and later brought the painting to the National Museum.
The suspects were caught after the NBI-Special Task Force received information that a certain "Atty. Ching" was selling Amorsolo paintings in the area. According to the subject, he could bring the national artist's Mango Harvesters painting to possible buyers, which was sold for only P3.5 million.
Operatives quickly acted on the tip and arranged an entrapment operation on July 11 in Tomas Morato, where the supposed selling of the Amorsolo piece would occur.
The two suspects, identified as Ritz Chona Ching Castro and Donecio Somaylo Escobia, were then caught delivering the painting as instructed by Atty. Ching and were apprehended by authorities.
They face charges of possession and selling stolen property in violation of Presidential Decree 1612, otherwise known as the Anti-Fencing Law.
Known as the "Grand Old Man of Philippine Art," Amorsolo was the first National Artist of the Philippines. He became famous for his works, which mainly spotlight rural landscapes in the country.
His work Mango Harvesters is just one of his many paintings displayed at the Hofileña Museum.