‘Treasure hunts’ in Iloilo town alarm local officials, residents

via the Philippine News Agency, 18 January 2020 and other sources: The spectre of Yamashita’s Gold rises again. This time, a treasure-hunting expedition in Iloilo has raised alarm because of potential environmental damage. The treasure hunters were issued a permit by the National Museum of the Philippines, but local authorities are seeking to have the permit cancelled (see other stories linked below).

The excavation and alleged treasure hunting activities in Pasong village, Igbaras town have alarmed local government officials and residents as they pose risks of landslides.

Igbaras Mayor Jaime Esmeralda and Pasong village officials on Thursday sought the help of Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. to stop the excavations.

Esmeralda said a group of 10 diggers was involved in the excavation that covered a 1, 000-square-meter area.

“They have been doing that for one-and-a-half years already. There is a possibility that the soil (would) erode because the more they excavate, the more the base of the soil softens,” he said in an interview Friday.
At-risk are nine households around the area.

Source: ‘Treasure hunts’ in Iloilo town alarm local officials, residents | Philippine News Agency