MANILA, Philippines — An office of the United States Department of Homeland Security that investigates illegal art deals has turned over to the Philippine government two paintings by the countrys first National Artist Fernando Amorsolo.

The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco formally received the paintings depicting harvest time on Nov. 22 from the Cultural Property, Art and Antiquities Investigations Division of the US Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

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An anonymous donor based in the San Francisco Bay Area turned over the Amorsolo paintings to the HSI.

The donor’s father reportedly procured the paintings when he served in the Philippine Constabulary. The donor’s father died a few years ago, and his family decided to turn over the priceless artworks “for Filipinos [to] appreciate” them, according to the consulate.—Dona Z. Pazzibugan

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