The 88-year-old painting titled “Mango Harvester” by National Artist Fernando Amorsolo, which was stolen from Negros Occidental’s Hofileña Museum on July 3, has been found by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
The painting was turned over to the National Museum of the Philippines in Manila on Friday.
A visual inspection confirmed the artwork’s authenticity as an Amorsolo piece.
Meanwhile, the NBI has yet to release details on how they recovered the painting.
Jeremy Barns, Director-General of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, personally inspected the painting and confirmed its authenticity to the NBI.
He provided a certification to this effect at the NBI’s request.
“We commend the NBI for the safe recovery of the stolen painting and reaffirm our commitment to supporting law enforcement agencies in any way necessary,” according to a statement by the commission.
“We look forward to the return of ‘Mango Harvester’ to its rightful owners at the Hofileña Museum and to the successful prosecution of all individuals involved in the theft of this valuable piece of our nation’s cultural and artistic heritage,” they added.
