Centuries-Old Statues Stolen From Cebu Church Resurface at Auction House

In a shocking discovery, two life-sized religious statues dating back to the 16th century have resurfaced at a prominent auction house nearly two decades after they were stolen from the San Guillermo de Aquitana parish church in Dalaguete, Cebu, Philippines. The images of Santo Tomas de Villanueva and San Juan de Sahagun, cherished by the parish community for generations, were brazenly stolen in two separate burglaries in May 2002, along with other priceless artifacts.

The theft and resale of cultural and religious artifacts highlight the need for greater protection and regulation of theart market, as well as the importance of preserving cultural heritage. The recovery of these stolen statues also underscores the significance of community efforts in reclaiming and preserving their cultural identity.

The stolen statues, which once graced the church's retablo mayor, went missing along with an image of San Vicente Ferrer and the head and hands of San Antonio de Padua. The thefts dealt a devastating blow to the parish, leaving them to wonder if they would ever recover their sacred images. For nearly 20 years, the whereabouts of the stolen artifacts remained a mystery.

The long-lost statues resurfaced at the prestigious Leon Gallery auction house in 2017 and 2018, sparking outrage among parishioners. Andree Alfred R. Navarrete and his sister Faith Navarrete Abangan immediately recognized the striking resemblance to the stolen statues upon seeing the auction catalog images. They began gathering old photos of the missing artifacts to compare with the listings, determined to prove their suspicions.

The Santo Tomas de Villanueva statue was listed for P360,000 during The Asian Cultural Council Auction 2018 on March 3, 2018, selling for a staggering P443,840 in the end. Similarly, the San Juan de Sahagun image was offered for P400,000 during The Magnificent September Auction 2017 on September 29, 2017, fetching a final price of P467,200. The exorbitant sums paid for these religious artifacts only fueled the parishioners' conviction that these were indeed theirstolen treasures.

Why this matters: Armed with photographic evidence and eyewitness accounts, the parishioners are now preparing notarized affidavits to prove ownership and demand the return of their beloved statues. Navarrete asserted, "The auctioned images are the same ones stolen from our church 22 years ago," his voice filled with a mix of anger and determination. The Dalaguete Parish Pastoral Council is set to meet on May 5 to discuss the recovery efforts and formulate a plan of action.

Retired policeman Lope Belciña, who served being the chief investigator of Dalaguete during the burglaries, has been interviewed to provide vital information that could aid in the recovery process. Leon Gallery Director Jaime Ponce de Leon has expressed willingness to assist the church and local governments in Cebu in locating the items, but maintains that proof of the theft is required before anyactioncan be taken.

The Archdiocese of Cebu has thrown its support behind the parishioners, with Archbishop Jose S. Palma declaring, "It is our duty to go after the stolen images." The church leadership's unwavering commitment to recovering the sacred artifacts has bolstered the resolve of the Dalaguete parish community, who refuse to let their cultural and religious heritage be lost forever.

The investigation unfolds, and the battle for the return of the stolen statues intensifies, the parishioners of San Guillermo de Aquitana parish church remain determined to reclaim their lost treasures. The case serves as a poignant illustration of the enduring power of faith and the unbreakable bonds of community in the face of adversity. The tireless efforts of the Dalaguete parish to preserve their sacred relics stand as a tribute to the resilience of the human spirit.

Key Takeaways

• 2 life-sized 16th-century statues stolen from a Philippine church in 2002 resurfaced at an auction house 18 years later.
• The statues, Santo Tomas de Villanueva and San Juan de Sahagun, were sold for P443,840 and P467,200, respectively.
• Parishioners recognized the statues from auction catalog images and are now fighting to reclaim them.
• The Archdiocese of Cebu is supporting the parishioners' efforts to recover the stolen artifacts.
• The case highlights the need for greater protection and regulation of the art market and cultural heritage.