HUNTED

Treasure hunters now being hunted
By Ramil D. Soliveres

GIGMOTO, Catanduanes --- After more than one month of suspicious operation, Mayor Edgar U. Tayam of this town invited personnel from the Treasure Hunters Association of the Philippines Inc., Catanduanes-Albay (THAPI CATALBAY) Chapter to his office for questioning, following verified reports that the group had been engaging in illegal excavation activities in at least three barangays of his town.

In an interview, Mayor Tayam told this paper that on July 5, 2011 he was furnished with a copy of a letter from THAPI President Dr. Al Umali informing THAPI CATALBAY Chapter about the so-called Hold-Over-Capacity-Authority (HOCA) to pursue treasure hunting operations as allegedly approved by the Director of the National Museum, pending application for a treasure hunting permit.

The Gigmoto municipal government, meanwhile, forwarded a query to the National Museum Office regarding the legitimacy of the group to excavate in the town.

Tayam said the next thing he heard was the presence of more or less ten men that compose the combined treasure hunting personnel Catanduanes, Albay and Manila, employing locals as guides and laborers.

“And then I got reports the group began excavation activities, mobilizing locals who were paid P500 pesos a week with a promise that they will get their share from the treasures once found,” the mayor said.

Assuming the authenticity of a provision in the HOCA of expiration date of the treasure hunt unless a permit has been presented after thirty days, Mayor Tayam waited for the men from THAPI to show him the treasure hunting permit, but to no avail.

On August 12, 2011, Edwin de la Rosa, Senior Researcher of the National Museum Cultural Properties Division, arrived in this town to conduct investigation. Along with the PNP and other lined agencies, the group went up the mountains and discovered the excavated sites.

Dela Rosa said the Office of the National Museum has not issued any permit for the group to perform such activities. Mayor Tayam had wanted THAPI-CATALBAY to fill up the huge holes caused by the excavations, but not a soul from THAPI-CATALBAY could now be found.


When I first read the headline, I thought the treasure hunters were hunted by the souls of Yamashita and other Japanese soldiers who guard the treasure. 

I personally witnessed treasure hunting. I saw stones like these:

But unfortunately, the hunters failed to locate the treasure.