Rizal's bust in Paris missing—DFA
Published Nov 4, 2025 02:02 pm
Philippine Ambassador to France Junever Mahilum-West (3rd from left) unveils the bust and pedestal of Dr. Jose Rizal along with Deputy Mayor of Paris Arnaud Ngatcha (2nd from left), Mayor Delphine Bürkli of the 9th arrondissement (third from right), Maria Cecilia Lopez Bretault (direct descendant of Dr. Rizal through his brother Paciano, second from right), and Sir Ferdinand Suba KGCR, Supreme Archivist of the Knights of Rizal Supreme Council (rightmost). (Photo courtesy of DFA)
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has disclosed that Dr. Jose Rizal’s bust in Paris, France has disappeared.
In a statement on Tuesday, Nov. 4, the DFA confirmed reports that the national hero's bust went missing between October 25 to 26.
"The Department of Foreign Affairs, through the Philippine Embassy in Paris, regrets the disappearance of Dr. Jose Rizal’s bust, a significant monument for the Filipino community in France, located at Place Jose Rizal in Paris’ 9th arrondissement," the DFA said.
"The bust was likely removed overnight between the 25th and 26th of October 2025," the department added.
It further said that the motive behind the removal of the bust remains unknown. However, it explained that "public monuments are often vulnerable to vandalism or even destruction or theft."
According to the DFA, the incident has been reported to local authorities in Paris and closely monitoring the progress of the investigation.
"The Embassy continues to work closely with local authorities and the Filipino community in Paris to pursue all avenues for recovery or replacement, and remains committed to preserving the memory and values that the monument represents," the department said.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Embassy in Paris also underscored that it was prudent to await the initial information from the authorities before making a public statement to ensure the integrity of the investigation.
"As the incident involves a public monument under the jurisdiction of the City of Paris, the Embassy considered it prudent to await initial information from the authorities before releasing a public statement. This approach was intended to ensure accuracy, prevent undue speculation, and respect the integrity of the investigative process," the embassy said, addressing queries on why it took them a week to issue a statement on the incident.
The Foreign Affairs department said the bust of Dr. José Rizal "served as a cherished landmark for Filipinos in Paris and a symbol of enduring friendship between the Philippines and France."
The bust and pedestal of Philippine national hero Dr. Jose Rizal was unveiled on June 23, 2022 at the Place named after him in 1999 at the bustling 9th arrondissement (district) of Paris.
Rizal first arrived in France in the summer of 1883 and ended up staying for three months before embarking on his studies in Madrid, Spain. He later returned to train under renowned ophthalmologist Dr. Louis de Wecker in 1885-1886 and then travelled to France intermittently up to 1891 when he finished writing his second novel El Filibusterismo in Biarritz, France.