BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — The city government of Silay in Negros Occidental has offered P25,000 in exchange for information leading to the recovery of a stolen painting of national artist Fernando Amorsolo.
As this developed, police said they are pursuing leads on the identities of people who stole the 88-year-old artwork from the Hofileña Heritage House and Museum located on Cinco de Noviembre street in Silay City.
The 1936 painting titled “Mango Harvester” is owned by the Hofileña family.
The artwork was one of the collections of the late Ramon Hofileña, a known art curator in Negros Occidental.
The painting is reportedly worth millions of pesos.
Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said he ordered provincial police director Col. Rainerio de Chavez to exert all efforts to recover the painting.
Silay police chief Lt. Col. Mark Anthony Darroca said his men are coordinating with the Bacolod City police in tracking down the thieves.
Initial investigation showed two suspects joined a group of six visitors during a 15-minute tour of the museum on July 3.
The suspects wrote fictitious names in the guests’ logbook.
Only one tour guide was on duty when the incident occurred.
Silay Mayor Joedith Gallego said he would assign city hall employees to augment security in local museums to prevent a repeat of the incident.
Gallego said the theft at the museum was an isolated case.
He gave assurance that the artwork would be recovered soon.
Aside from the works of Amorsolo, the Hofileña Museum also has sketches made by renowned Filipino artists Juan Luna, Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo, Ang Kiukok, Vicente Manansala, H.R. Ocampo and BenCab.
The Art Association of Bacolod-Negros and the Silay Heritage Foundation appealed for community cooperation for the immediate recovery of the painting.