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NBI recovers stolen Amorsolo painting; 2 suspects arrested, charged

Philippines | National

NBI recovers stolen Amorsolo painting; 2 suspects arrested, charged

By Jeffrey Damicog

The stolen painting of National Artist Fernando Amorsolo has been recovered by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) which arrested two suspects for attempting to selll it for P3.5 million.

In a press briefing late Friday afternoon, July 12, the NBI identified the two suspected thieves as Ritz Chona C. Ching and Donecio E. Somaylo who were arrested in an operation conducted in Quezon City last Thursday, July 11.

The painting "Mango Harvesters" was stolen last July 3 from the Holifena Museum in Silay City, Negros Occidental.

After the arrest of the suspects, they were presented for inquest before the Department of Justice (DOJ) on charges of possession and selling a stolen property in violation of Presidential Decree (PD) 1612, also known as the Anti-Fencing Law.

The NBI said its operation was conducted after receiving an information that a certain "Atty. Ching" was seling an Amorsolo painting in Quezon City.

“Acting on the above-said information, operatives of the NBI's Special Task Force (NBI-STF) under the supervision the NB Director Jaime B. Santiago hatched an entrapment operation," it said.

Last July 11, NBI operatives proceeded to target area in Tomas Morato, Quezon City where the supposed selling of the Amorsolo painting would take place,” it added.

Related Tags

National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)

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