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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.
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