The current unveiling of four stolen panels from the pulpit of Boljoon’s heritage church, now showcased as part of the “Gift to the Nation” exhibit at the National Museum of the Philippines, has sparked widespread outcry and demands for their return to their rightful home.
Decades after their disappearance in the late 1980s, questions abound regarding how these panels found their way into the hands of a private collector and ultimately ended up as part of a national exhibit. Concerned citizens in Cebu have flooded social media platforms and media outlets with demands for the panels’ repatriation, asserting that they were stolen property and rightfully belong to the Archdiocesan Shrine of Patrocinio de Maria Santisima, also known as Boljoon Church.
The people of Boljoon remain united in their resolve to reclaim these cultural artifacts, viewing them not only as symbols of heritage but as crucial parts of their community’s identity and history.
Efforts for repatriation have gained momentum, with various individuals and groups in Cebu mobilizing independently for the return of the panels. Boljoon Councilor Eva Lowela Villanueva Moraca spearheaded an ordinance to petition for their return, supported by Boljoon Mayor Jojie Derama and Provincial Board Member Red Duterte.
Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia has also taken action, urging Dr. Jose Eleazar Bersales, Capitol consultant for heritage and museums, to investigate the matter for them to proceed in drafting a formal request to the National Museum for the return of the panels.
Police in Boljoon are scouring through records to locate the theft report filed decades ago, corroborating claims of the panels’ theft. Retired policeman Archimedes Villanueva, who witnessed the theft, was preparing an affidavit to support the town’s claim.
The Cebu Archdiocesan Commission for the Cultural Heritage of the Church is actively involved, with Fr. Brian Brigoli confirming the panels’ authenticity and asserting that they were indeed stolen from Boljoon’s church.
The discovery of the panels has reignited memories and emotions within the Boljoon community, evoking painful recollections of the past. Concerns have been raised regarding the circumstances of their loss and the need for due diligence in verifying their provenance.
Fr. Milan Ted Torralba of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines’ (CBCP) Episcopal Commission for the Cultural Heritage of the Church assures that there is a process for the repatriation of stolen items, and efforts are underway to facilitate their return.
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