Stolen Amorsolo painting recovered by NBI

The stolen painting of National Artist Fernando Amorsolo entitled "Mango Harvesters" has been recovered by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

The 88-year-old painting was brought to the National Museum and has been authenticated, according to GMA Integrated News' Mariz Umali on Friday in her post on X (formerly twitter).

The painting was stolen from a museum in Silay, Negros Occidental on July 3.

It used to be part of the Hofileña Museum's collection.

The Hofileña Museum is a heritage house built in 1934 by the late Manuel Severino Hofileña and Gilda Ledesma Hojilla. 

It houses a private collection of works from renowned Filipino artists such as Amorsolo, Juan Luna, and Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo, among others.

Meanwhile, a statement from the NBI on Friday said the two suspects were arrested on Thursday while attempting to sell the painting in Quezon City.

The painting was tipped off being sold by an “Atty. Ching” to buyers for only P3.5 Million.

The suspects were arrested in an entrapment operation while delivering the painting under the instructions of said “Atty. Ching”.

According to a report by GMA Regional TV, one of the suspects hid the painting inside a bag, and got out of the museum while a tour was being conducted. 

''The painting was just hanging on the wall. It was discreetly taken behind the museum's visitors' backs,” said Silay City Police Station chief Police Lieutenant Colonel Mark Anthony Darroca.

The stolen 88-year-old Amorsolo painting, "Mango Harvesters," was finally recovered by the NBI and brought to the National Museum, where it was authenticated to be the real one. @gmanews pic.twitter.com/u2mwMBqbBy

— Mariz Umali (@marizumali) July 12, 2024

The suspects are facing charges of possession and selling stolen property in violation of the Anti-Fencing Law.—VAL/RF, GMA Integrated News