Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Article (news)

Zen Hernandez

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1762239519045cropped-G45FGw6bQAIWQ56.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">The DFA said the bust, located at Paris&#x27; 9th arrondissement, was likely removed between Oct. 25 and 26. Philippine Embassy in France via Zen Hernandez, ABS-CBN News</span></span></span></div><p style="text-align:left">MANILA<strong> (UPDATE) </strong>— The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has confirmed that the bust of Dr. José Rizal in Paris has “disappeared,” prompting an active investigation by French authorities.</p><div style="text-align:left"><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/07/11/22/rizal-bust-sa-paris-pinasinayaan">Rizal bust sa Paris, pinasinayaan</a></div><p>“The Department of Foreign Affairs, through the Philippine Embassy in Paris, regrets the disappearance of Dr. Jose Rizal’s bust, a significant monument for the Filipino community in France, located at Place Jose Rizal in Paris’ 9th arrondissement,” the DFA said in a statement.</p><p>According to the DFA, the Philippine Embassy in Paris believes the bust was taken sometime overnight between the 25th and 26th of October 2025. </p><p>&quot;The matter has been promptly reported to local authorities in Paris, with whom the Embassy is coordinating closely to monitor the progress of the investigation.”</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1762240833270cropped-malayo-ang-tingin-ni-rizal.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">ABS-CBN News/TFC/File</span></span></span></div><p>The bust, honoring the Philippine national hero, was designed by sculptor and artist, Gerard Lartigue. It was unveiled by the Philippine Embassy on June 23, 2022, with Maria Cecilia Lopez Bretault, a descendant of Rizal through his brother Paciano, in attendance.</p><p>&quot;The bust of Dr. José Rizal served as a cherished landmark for Filipinos in Paris and a symbol of enduring friendship between the Philippines and France,&quot; the DFA said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/06/28/22/tingnan-rizal-bust-sa-paris-pinasinayaan">TINGNAN: Rizal bust sa Paris, pinasinayaan</a></div><p>&quot;The Embassy continues to work closely with local authorities and the Filipino community in Paris to pursue all avenues for recovery or replacement, and remains committed to preserving the memory and values that the monument represents,&quot; it added.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/life/08/04/23/bust-monument-ni-gat-jose-rizal-pinasinayaan-sa-the-hague">Bust monument ni Gat Jose Rizal, pinasinayaan sa The Hague</a></div><p>Rizal spent time in Europe during his years as a writer and reformist. </p><p>He first visited France in 1883 and stayed for 3 months before studying in Madrid.</p><p>He later trained under renowned ophthalmologist Dr. Louis de Wecker and travelled to France intermittently until 1891, after writing El Filibusterismo in Biarritz.</p><p>Local police have not released further details as the investigation continues.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS</strong></div><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BRVVVVQBpo8?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/L6sSq9PlHuI?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/16iv6PLot30?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday confirmed the “disappearance” of Dr. Jose Rizal’s bust at Place Jose Rizal in Paris, France.</p>

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday confirmed the “disappearance” of Dr. Jose Rizal’s bust at Place Jose Rizal in Paris, France.

DFA confirms disappearance of Jose Rizal bust in Paris

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DFA confirms disappearance of Jose Rizal bust in Paris

Zen Hernandez,

ABS-CBN News

Published November 04, 2025 03:00 PM PHT

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Updated November 04, 2025 03:23 PM PHT

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