DFA Confirms Paris Rizal Bust Missing, Days After Initial TFCN Social Media Report

MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) officially confirmed today the disappearance of the bust of national hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal from its pedestal at Place Jose Rizal in Paris, France. The confirmation comes via a statement released by the DFA, more than a week after the monument was believed to have been removed.

The bronze sculpture, located in Paris's 9th arrondissement and considered a cherished landmark for the Filipino community, was reportedly discovered missing overnight between 25 and 26 October 2025.

The pedestal where the Jose Rizal bust was mounted after the Filipino community in Paris discovered last 26 October 2025 that it was missing.

However, the news of the monument's loss was not officially disclosed by the Philippine government until today, 4 November 2025. The Filipino Correspondent Network (TFCN) through Paris correspondent Bong Agustinez was the first to break the story, reporting the missing bust on its Facebook platform as early as 26 October 2025. TFCN’s social media post, which quickly circulated among the Filipino diaspora in Europe, prompted initial alarm over a week before the DFA provided its official account.

In its statement, the DFA expressed regret over the incident and confirmed that the Philippine Embassy in Paris has promptly reported the matter to French local authorities.

"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," the DFA said.

DFA Spokesperson Angelica Escalona addressed the delay in the official announcement, explaining that the Embassy chose to wait for initial information from the City of Paris, which has jurisdiction over the public monument. “This approach was intended to ensure accuracy, prevent undue speculation, and respect the integrity of the investigative process,” Escalona added.

The motive behind the removal remains unknown, though the DFA noted that public monuments are frequently vulnerable to vandalism, destruction, or theft. The bust, unveiled in June 2022, commemorates Rizal’s time living and writing in Paris and symbolizes the enduring friendship between the Philippines and France.

The Jose Rizal bust on 37 Rue Maubeauge Paris, 9, during its unveiling in 2022.

The Paris Fil-com had also previously reported that the monument had been subjected to vandalism on several occasions since its unveiling.

Some of the previous vandalism incidents on the bust of Jose Rizal in Paris.

Ben Lumban, a member of the Knights Of Rizal, Paris chapter, and one of the Filipinos who first rushed to the site after learning that the bust was missing, told TFCN last week, that he lamented the loss of the bust statue of the 'national hero,' Dr. Jose Rizal.

In photo: Ben Lumban, Knights Of Rizal-Paris chapter (26 October 2025).

"Nung una po ang ginagawa nila nilalagyan ng damit, ng maskara, kung anu-anong bagay ang sinasabit nila. Binabastos nila ang ating pambansang bayani. Sana mabigyan ng hustisya ang pagkawala ng bust ni Gat Jose Rizal."

("At first, what they were doing was putting clothes and masks on it, and hanging all sorts of things. They were disrespecting our national hero. We hope that justice will be served for the disappearance of the bust of Gat Jose Rizal.")

Photos: Bong Agustinez, TFCN Paris