• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson on Thursday, July 25, urged the owner of the stolen Fernando Amorsolo painting, that was later recovered by authorities, to press charges against the two suspects, who remain at-large, as of this time.
Lacson said he was informed by PCol. Rainier de Chavez, provincial police director of Negros Occidental, that the Hofileña family, owner of the 88-year-old painting of Amorsolo titled “Mango Harvesters”, is not pursuing charges against the suspects following its recovery in Quezon City, on July 11.
The painting was stolen July 3 from a private museum of the Hofileña family at Cinco de Noviembre Street in Silay City by two suspects, a man and a woman, who joined a tour of the museum.
“I hope the family will understand that we are trying to avoid these individuals to go scot -free and plan out their next heist,” Lacson said.
The P25,000 reward for the recovery of the stolen painting of Amorsolo, a national artist, offered by Mayor Joedith Gallego was already turned over to the informant following its recovery from the two suspects who attempted to sell it for P3.5 million.
The suspects, according to investigations of the NBI, were reportedly ordered to deliver the painting to a buyer.
The 88-year-old masterpiece is said to be valued at P10 million. | GB
