Panels sa simbahan na 40 taong nawawala, nasa kustodiya ng National Museum | Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho - video Dailymotion

GMA Public Affairs

Ang apat na sagradong panel sa pulpito ng simbahan sa Boljoon, Cebu kabilang ang iba pang gamit sa simbahan, pinaniniwalaang ninakaw noong 1980s. Ang mga naturang sagradong panel, gumawa ng kontrobersiya matapos makitang i-e-exhibit sa National Museum. Maibabalik pa kaya ang mga sagradong panel sa pinanggalingan nitong simbahan?  Panoorin ang video.

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00:54 These panels are stolen.

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01:33 This is one of the oldest churches in the Philippines.

01:36 It was built in 1783.

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03:36 That was designed because there were no microphones during that time.

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05:18 It's just like that your own house is being robbed.

05:21 It really pains me that the church is indeed a victim.

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05:46 From 1782 when construction began under it was Agustino,

05:51 until 1949, Agustino turned it over a long time ago because there were a lot of treasures inside.

05:57 There was an inventory of what was inside.

05:59 When it was transferred to the Archdiocese, a lot of it was lost.

06:01 There is a report that it's the Paris priest at the time,

06:04 the perpetrator of unlawful taking of those panels.

06:07 There was an initial investigation.

06:09 Based on a document,

06:11 it is not only the panels that were said to be stolen from the church in the 1980s,

06:18 but also a set of alfars made of silk,

06:21 crucifixes made of ivory,

06:23 and gold-plated chalice.

06:25 He was the one who was accused of being an inside job.

06:28 The priest was not able to miss the chance because he was not allowed to do anything that was not allowed inside the church.

06:34 The alleged larceny or robbery that happened in the 1980s,

06:40 there was a case filed against the incumbent priest at the time.

06:46 But it was dismissed because of the failure to prosecute.

06:50 If I remember correctly,

06:52 when they noticed in the 1980s that most of the things were getting lost,

06:57 many of them would no longer go to the church.

06:59 More than four decades later,

07:02 on February 13,

07:04 the former tour guide of the Bolho'o, Orlan,

07:07 noticed a post,

07:10 a religious artifact that had a lot to do with the four panels that were stolen from their church.

07:16 I felt like my energy was rising,

07:18 that these were the four panels that we were looking for.

07:21 I reported to the chairman of the Cebu Archdiocesan Commission for the Cultural Heritage of the Church here in Cebu.

07:27 This is what was missing.

07:31 In the 1980s, the University of San Carlos Cebuano Study Center

07:36 went to the churches in the south and documented the parts of the churches.

07:40 So, the photos are black and white,

07:43 but you can see clearly,

07:45 these are the panels that were lost.

07:47 There are six panels,

07:49 all of the panels that were found in Ambo.

07:51 Four are now in the possession of the National Museum.

07:55 One is in the possession of the Museum of Bolho'o,

07:58 and there is still one that is accounted for.

08:02 We are still looking for the missing panels,

08:06 and we are still looking for the missing people who are missing the panels.

08:12 When the call of the Bolho'o members to the National Museum began

08:18 to return the sacred panels to their churches,

08:22 let us just understand this very clearly.

08:25 Those panels are not only religious artifacts,

08:30 but because they belong to what has since been declared a National Cultural Treasure,

08:34 we request the National Museum to return these treasures

08:37 so that they may be rightfully put back where they belong.

08:41 Of course, we are doing our best as the Commission of the Archdiocese of Cebu.

08:45 We really worked hard to get the panels back.

08:49 This is part of the community, and it has layers of significance and meaning.

08:54 We listened to the interview of the National Museum of the Philippines,

08:59 and they did not respond to our request.

09:01 In their first statement, they gave a legal explanation

09:05 as to how this went to their custody.

09:08 We recognize the broader historical context surrounding the Roman Catholic Parish Church

09:14 of Patrocino de Maria Santissima in Bolhon, Cebu.

09:17 It is noteworthy to emphasize that our donors procured the specific panels

09:21 through legitimate means, highlighting their commitment to ethical acquisition.

09:26 Moreover, the donors' decision to acquire these artifacts and donate to the Philippines

09:30 reflect their dedication to preserving cultural heritage and promoting patriotism.

09:34 The four panels were donated to them by a private collector.

09:40 They have no idea where the other panel is now,

09:44 and they are open to talk or have a dialogue.

09:48 In the meantime, in order to prioritize the welfare of these panels,

09:53 we continue to pursue preventive conservation measures

09:56 necessary to prepare them for the public display in due course.

09:59 This demonstrates our steadfast dedication to fostering understanding,

10:03 appreciation, and access to a rich cultural heritage for all Filipinos.

10:07 We are separating the law there, the Anti-Fencing Law of 1979,

10:13 and the Residential Victory of 1612.

10:15 In this law, the victim does not have to be charged with theft.

10:22 The requirement of the law is that the victim is held accountable.

10:27 The last person who was found to be in possession of these items

10:32 that were taken out without the consent of the Church should be held liable.

10:36 The National Museum officials also can be held as principal by direct participation

10:43 because they accepted that.

10:45 We also tried to ask for a statement from the panelists who donated to the National Museum,

10:51 but they did not respond to our emails.

10:54 Meanwhile, on Friday, the LGU or Local Government Unit of Bolhoon

11:00 and the President of the National Museum had a private meeting.

11:05 Our team was allowed to have a conversation.

11:08 I am here with my council to formally hand in our resolution and letter

11:14 requesting to have the panels that I donated to your museum returned.

11:20 Because laws are not yet so strong, we have to test this.

11:25 Proving ownership is one thing, but how about regulating heritage properties?

11:31 We also have to consider that these are Church properties.

11:34 What is the Church's role when it comes to these things other than just

11:38 hinging responsibility upon the parish as a ministry,

11:42 meaning everything should be under this constitution.

11:46 Under the Attorney-General's role, Director II for Visayas of the National Museum,

11:50 they are recognizing the submitted resolution,

11:53 but it still needs to be discussed through dialogue between the National Museum,

11:59 the LGU of Bolhoon, the Archdiocese of Cebu, and the Provincial Government of Cebu

12:05 which will be held in Cebu City.

12:08 Given that this can actually be a test case for all of us,

12:14 for all of us to come together, for the Church, the LGU, National Government,

12:19 now we work on this proper recovery and also developing a system in place

12:27 for repatriation and re-patriation.

12:29 Maybe if we have collections that have dubious provenance,

12:34 maybe an act of goodwill will be able to return these to the local communities

12:37 in regards to their original provenance.

12:41 At this point, it spells hope for all other churches, not just Bolhoon.

12:44 The three Bolhoon are now praying for the return of their stolen panels as soon as possible.

12:52 Not only is this a big part of their history,

12:56 but it is also a symbol of their strong faith.

13:06 Thank you so much, Kapuso! If you liked this video, subscribe to the GMA Public Affairs YouTube channel.

13:15 Don't forget to hit the bell button for our latest updates.

13:20 [Music]

Panels sa simbahan na 40 taong nawawala, nasa kustodiya ng National Museum | Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho

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