Looted artifacts seized in Zambales

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga – Police seized some 100 pieces of priceless artifacts from two Quezon City residents in Sta. Cruz, Zambales as they were returning to Metro Manila last Thursday.

Albert Dealino and Restituto Velasco told policemen, who stopped them at a checkpoint along the national highway, that they bought the artifacts from hawkers at a flea market in Sta. Cruz town.

The artifacts were loaded in a pickup truck and the two were believed to be transporting them to Quezon City when the police chanced upon them.

Central Luzon police director Chief Superintendent Enrique Galang told reporters yesterday Dealino and Velasco will be charged with violation of Presidential Decree No. 374, or the Cultural Properties Preservation and Protection Law.

Galang warned residents they would be arrested if found selling artifacts from archaeological sites in Zambales, especially those from a Chinese vessel that sunk off Isla Hermana Menor 500 years ago.

Galang said police armed with court-issued warrants will search fishing villages in Sta. Cruz, where residents are said to have kept hundreds of pieces of artifacts from the Chinese junk.

Galang appealed to residents of Zambales to surrender to authorities artifacts which they had illegally acquired to avoid being charged in court.

Last Monday, police arrested at least 17 people in Barangay San Salvador in Masinloc town in Zambales after they were caught diving for artifacts in waters off Isla Hermana Menor.

They were identified as Philip Macabanao, Quirino, Romeo and Gregorio Butalad, Alot Maranga, Jorge and Felix Abulag, Rogelio Fernandez, Teddy Ogpa, Armando Dumaran, Joel and Jermille Tano, Reno Conde, Joseph Laga, Edgar Mengito, Vicente Perjes and Ronnie Ebejog.

Apart from the artifacts, police also seized four motorized bancas and several diving gears from them.

Authorities have yet to determine the value of the artifacts in the absence of experts from the National Museum.

A fisherman from Sta. Cruz discovered the wreck of the Chinese junk while in a deep sea fishing expedition in waters near Isla Hermana Menor.

Last Wednesday, President Arroyo ordered the Coast Guard to stop treasure hunting in waters off Zambales. – Ric Sapnu, Christina Mendez