The Silay police and the Hofileña family are preparing to file theft charges against two suspects who stole an 88-year-old painting by National Artist Fernando Amorsolo from the Hofileña Museum in Silay City.
The “Mango Harvesters” painting valued by the National Museum at P8 to P12 million was recovered by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in Quezon City when two persons attempted to sell it on July 12.
However, the actual thieves who stole the painting from the Hofileña Museum of July 3 are still at-large.
Lt. Col. Mark Anthony Darroca, Silay police chief, said on Friday, July 26, that their investigation shows that the male and female who stole the painting on July 3 are from Iloilo.
They have identified the male suspect and are establishing the real name of his female companion, he said.
They located the house of two in Iloilo but when they got there they were gone, Darroca said.
The Hofileña family lawyer and the police met with the Silay City Prosecutor on Thursday, Darroca said.
They just need a few more minor documents to file the theft charges, he said.
The thieves should not be allowed to get away with it scot free, Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said on Thursday.
Charges should be filed against the culprits to prevent them from committing another heist, Lacson said.
The two other persons who attempted to sell the painting in Quezon City were arrested by the NBI.*