• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson on Monday (July 8) ordered the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) to do everything possible to recover the stolen painting of National Artist Fernando Amorsolo.
The 1936 painting titled “Mango Harvesters” was displayed at the museum owned by the Hofileña family in Silay City.
Lacson said that he asked PCol. Rainerio de Chavez, police provincial director, to regularly update him on the investigation of the theft incident, which took place on July 3.
“We would like to recover that very valuable piece of art,” Lacson said.
PLt. Col. Mark Anthony Darroca, Silay City police chief, said they are also coordinating with the Bacolod City Police Office to track down the two suspects.
The city government is offering a P25,000 reward to anyone who can provide information that would lead to the arrest of the suspects and the recovery of the stolen painting.
Whether the provincial government will also put up a reward, Lacson said: “I don’t think the province can ever offer an amount that is commensurate to the value of such piece of art”.
“We are now banking on the expertise of our Philippine National Police on how to trace the possible suspects,” the governor added.
Initial police investigation showed that the two suspects, who wrote fictitious names on the guest logbook, joined a group of six visitors during a 15-minute tour at the private museum on July 3.
Only a tour guide was on duty when the incident took place.
The Hofileña museum also contains a collection of paintings and sketches by other National Artists, including Juan Luna, Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo, Fernando Amorsolo, Ang Kiukok, Vicente Manansala, H.R. Ocampo, and BenCab.
Meanwhile, the Art Association of Bacolod-Negros and Silay Heritage Foundation are appealing for the cooperation of the community to recover the Amorsolo artwork.
Those who may have information about the missing Amorsolo painting may call the Silay City Police Station at (0998)5987443 or (0998)9674432. | GB
