MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has successfully recovered Fernando Amorsolo’s 1936 painting, “Mango Harvester,” which was stolen from the Hofileña Museum in Silay City, Negros Occidental on July 3.

The 88-year-old artwork was handed over to the National Museum of the Philippines on Friday. While the NBI has not yet disclosed the specifics of how the painting was recovered, the National Museum confirmed its authenticity after Director General Jeremy Barns inspected the piece. They also extended their congratulations to the NBI for the painting’s safe retrieval.

The National Museum expressed its intention to return “Mango Harvester” to the Hofileña Museum and emphasized the importance of prosecuting all individuals involved in the theft of this significant piece of the nation’s cultural and artistic heritage.

📷 National Museum of the Philippines FB