Jose Rizal monument in Seattle vandalized, plaques stolen

Image: Screencap/KING 5 Seattle

SEATTLE – Dr. Jose Rizal’s monument in Seattle, Washington, has been vandalized and memorial plaques, including one that contained a time capsule, have been stolen.

The monument is located at the Dr. Jose Rizal Park on Beacon Hill – one of only five parks in the United States named after the Philippine national hero.

Authorities believe the incident took place at the park, located at 1008 12th Avenue South, between Oct. 12 and 13.

Tess Guerzon-Cabrera, one of the leaders of the Rizal Park and Bridge Preservation Society, said it was heartbreaking as the park is a significant and historical site for Filipino Americans in the Pacific Northwest.

“This is our park. There (are) only five parks in the US named after Dr. Jose Rizal, and one of them is in Seattle,” she told KING 5 Seattle.

“I felt really disheartened that this happened because this park has been here since the ‘70s. It was dedicated to the Filipino community.”

Dr. Jose Rizal memorial plaques, including one that contained a time capsule (in photo), have been stolen. Screencap/KING 5 Seattle

In a Facebook post, Guerzon-Cabrera said the Dr. Jose Rizal Park is close to her heart as her mother, Zenaida, was instrumental in naming the park and securing funding for the memorial.

She even met renowned Filipino master sculptor Anastacio Caedo, who created the Rizal bust.

“I remember as a young adult meeting Anastacio Caedo, the sculptor of the Rizal bust, at his home in Quezon City and talking with him and seeing his finished product of Rizal,” she wrote.

Located on the west side of Beacon Hill, the Dr. Jose Rizal Park faces south Downtown and Elliott Bay.

The park is also home to “East is West,” a triptych mosaic mural designed by Filipino artist Val Laigo and commissioned by the Filipino American community in Seattle.

“It’s so sad that this happened,” said Genoveva Brusola-Hoene, one of the many Fil-Ams who deplored the incident on social media.

Brusola-Hoene said Fil-Am organizations should seek the help of the City Council and discuss how to protect the park from vandalism.

Guerzon-Cabrera, who filed a police report, fears the copper and bronze plaques have ended up at the scrap metal yard.

She said the incident was “making a statement because this park actually needs help.”