Cardinal orders probe into treasure hunt at Cathedral

Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal has ordered an investigation into the alleged treasure hunting activities at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral.

The Cebu Archdiocese will conduct its probe on the treasure hunting excavation being made at chapel of the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral where treasures are reportedly buried during the Japanese regime.

The cardinal yesterday visited the chapel where the excavation is reportedly taking place. He ordered that the renovation of the chapel, which has been going on for the past two months to stop.

Msgr. Cayetano Gelbolingo of the Cebu Cathedral said that they had no idea of the ongoing excavation in the chapel as the cathedral is presently undergoing renovation.

Gelbolingo said that he was surprised to see what the workers were doing when he visited the chapel.

Gelbolingo immediately ordered the four construction workers, who they have not named, to stop the work upon learning that they were instead hunting for treasure at the adoration center.

He admitted that he have been busy these past few days and failed to supervise the renovation work.

The workers were reportedly sent by Father Dominador Dosdos to do the renovation work.

He said that it was father Dosdos, a retired priest, who asked Father Gene Herrera and appealed for the renovation of the adoration chapel. The renovation covered changing the tiles of the entire chapel, which was funded through a P100,000 donation from a businessman.

Gelbolingo said that it is Dosdos, who personally knows the workers who have been hired for the renovation. He added that he did not expect that the main motive of the workers was to hunt for treasure.

He said that he was very surprised to see a big hole after the guard, who discovered it, Myrna Francisco, reported the find to him.

Upon closer inspection, they found an improvised stairway, an electric fan, and some pails.

Francisco told Gelbolingo that last Saturday she was asked the four workers for the duplicate key of the chapel, but they refused to give it to her.

Last Monday, she was also not able to enter the chapel as it was locked and a piece of wood was used to block the entrance. As she was about to turn her back after thinking that no one was inside the chapel, she heard some voices inside prompting her to check through a hole at the side of the chapel and she saw the hole.

Sto.Nino barangay councilor Pancho Ramirez, Sr. said that there is a story about seven samurais (Japanese swords) and gold bars that have been buried under the church bell.

Sometime ago, a Japanese national came in the city and asked if he could do some diggings at the Cebu Cathedral as his father reportedly buried samurais and gold bars in the area.

Father Herrera for his part said, that he was only informed by Dosdos about the plan, but he has no knowledge when the renovation work started. - Jasmin R. Uy and Flor Z. Perolina