Australia returns recovered mid-20th century Igorot axe to PH

via Philippine News Agency, 23 November 2021: An Ifugao axe bound for Australia was intercepted and will be repatriated to the Philippines.

The Australian government has returned a recovered mid-20th century axe used for woodcarving and hunting in the Ifugao communities in northern Luzon, the Philippine Embassy in Australia said Tuesday.

Acting First Assistant Secretary Greg Cox of the Australian Office for the Arts turned over the cultural artifact to Ambassador Ma. Hellen de la Vega in a ceremony in Canberra last November 19.

The Embassy said the Igorot axe was intercepted in June last year by the Australian Border Force (ABF) upon entry into Australia from the United States.

The ABF alerted the Cultural Property section of the Office for the Arts, which then undertook the investigation.

Source: Australia returns recovered mid-20th century Igorot axe to PH | Philippine News Agency

See also:

• Australia returns intercepted mid-20th century Igorot axe | ABS-CBN News, 24 Nov 2021
• The return of the long-lost Igorot axe | Manila Bulletin, 28 Nov 2021