BACOLOD CITY — Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson congratulated and thanked the Philippine National Police, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and everyone who contributed to the successful recovery of the "Mango Harvesters" Amorsolo painting stolen from the Hofileña Museum in Silay City last week.

"This successful operation is a proud moment and a testament to the unwavering dedication, relentless investigative efforts, and outstanding coordination of our law enforcement agencies," Lacson said in a statement on Saturday.

The NBI-Special Task Force recovered the painting by National Artist Fernando Amorsolo that was stolen from the Hofileña Museum in Silay City, Negros Occidental, in an entrapment operation that led to the arrest of two persons in Quezon City on Friday.

NBI Director Jaime Santiago said the agency received information that a certain "Atty. Ching" was selling the 1936 painting of Amorsolo for P3.5 million so they planned an entrapment operation.

On Friday, they proceeded to the target area at Tomas Morato, Quezon City, and arrested Ritz Chona Castro Ching and Donecio Escobia Somaylo who delivered the painting for sale on instructions of Atty. Ching, Santiago said.

The two were arrested for violation of the Anti-Fencing Law and presented for inquest proceedings before the Office of the Inquest Prosecutor of the Department of Justice.

The painting was stolen from the Hofileña Museum by a male and female pretending to be tourists on July 3.

"I would also like to acknowledge the collaboration and support from the local authorities, the museum staff, and the vigilant citizens whose cooperation was instrumental in identifying the suspects," the governor said.

"This achievement serves as a reminder for us to remain vigilant in protecting and ensuring the preservation of our cultural treasures," he added.

Silay City Mayor Joedith Gallego said he was overjoyed that the painting was recovered as it is "an important piece of art."

Gallego said he will give the P25,000 reward he offered to whoever helped the NBI recover the painting.

The reward money is from his personal funds.

Silay City is known as the "Paris of Negros" of the Philippines because of the residents' love for the arts and its heritage houses.

The National Museum of the Philippines, in a statement, said it received the artwork from the NBI for assessment.

The museum confirmed the painting was indeed the stolen masterpiece.

"We look forward to the return of Mango Harvesters to its rightful owners and home at the Hofileña Museum, and to the successful prosecution of all persons who were involved in the theft of this valuable piece of the nation's cultural and artistic heritage," it said.

Earlier, the Hofileña Museum reported that the painting was discovered missing after a group of tourists visited the museum on July 3.

Silay police said one of the two suspects who stole the valued painting was identified by a pedicab driver.

The driver's description of the male suspect matched the mugshot of one of their persons of interest.

The pedicab driver transported them to the city public plaza after the incident.

The stolen painting, valued at millions, was owned by the Hofileña family.

It was one of Amorsolo's early works, measuring 12 by 18 inches, and was displayed on the second floor of the museum.

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