The National Bureau of Investigation-Special Task Force (NBI-STF) has recovered the stolen Amorsolo painting and arrested 2 individuals in Quezon City on July 11.
The suspects, Ritz Chona Ching y Castro and Donecio Somaylo y Escobia, were caught in an entrapment operation after they attempted to sell the 1936 “Mango Harvesters” painting by National Artist Fernando Amorsolo for P3.5 million.
The NBI conducted an entrapment operation after it received a tip that a certain “Atty. Ching” was selling the Amorsolo painting, which had been stolen from the Hofileña Museum in Silay City, Negros Occidental on July 3.
Following the lead, NBI agents arranged a meeting with the suspects in Quezon City and apprehended them upon confirmation that the painting was indeed stolen.
Ching and Somaylo will face charges for possession and selling stolen property in violation of P.D. 1612, also known as the Anti-Fencing Law.
