Administrator called to account

PANAMA. The investigation into the disappearance of 42 bronze statues from Parque Omar in 2008 has called former park administrator, Mingthoy Giro, for questioning by the anti-corruption authorities.

The bronze statues valued at $1.5 million and weighing approximately 35 tons were stolen from one of the park’s storage warehouse in August last year.

Following a public outcry, the state offered a reward of $5-10,000 for information leading to their recovery. However, despite numerous leads and raids on businesses nearby so far the investigations have proved fruitless. The most recent raid last week on a house in Villa Lucre turned out to be a statute bought from Conway.

Attorney Ramses Barrera who is in charge of the investigation said he has received the Comptroller’s audit regarding the case, but gave no details. He said Giro is the seventh person to be called for questioning concerning the theft.

The statues were created by Colombain artist, Hector Lombana Pineros, in commemoration of the Summit of Presidents in 2002. They depicted 22 birds and children playing traditional games.