The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has successfully recovered the stolen painting “Mango Harvesters” by National Artist Fernando Amorsolo. The 88-year-old artwork was authenticated and brought to the National Museum.
The painting, originally part of the Hofileña Museum’s collection in Silay, Negros Occidental, was stolen on July 3. According to GMA Integrated News’ Mariz Umali, who posted the update on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday, the painting has been verified as authentic.
The Hofileña Museum, a heritage house built in 1934 by the late Manuel Severino Hofileña and Gilda Ledesma Hojilla, is home to a private collection of works by renowned Filipino artists such as Amorsolo, Juan Luna, and Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo.
A report by GMA Regional TV revealed that one of the suspects concealed the painting inside a bag and managed to leave the museum during a tour. “The painting was just hanging on the wall. It was discreetly taken behind the museum’s visitors’ backs,” stated Silay City Police Station chief Police Lieutenant Colonel Mark Anthony Darroca.