Quezon residents slam treasure hunters

Mauban, Quezon, Philippines  – Residents of Sitio Swa, Barangay Daungan of this town are worried about possible soil erosion due to continued digging and blasting done by treasure hunters here.

The residents said they were also having problems in their water supply from the water pump near the treasure hunting site.

Treasure hunters from the Cabanisas Credit Corp., endorsed by the The National Commission for Culture and the Arts, have dug a 90-square meter pit 400 meters away from the Mauban municipal hall.

The corporation denied conducting blasting activities in the hunt, which has been going on for over a year.

Meanwhile, Rolando Villamayor Mendieta, 44, and a resident of Daungan Mauban, filed last Wednesday a robbery complaint against Mauban Mayor Llamas Eladio Pasamba Jr., and several other government officials and personnel for allegedly breaking into his house.

Initial investigation disclosed that the mayor and his companions went to Mendieta’s house to inspect a hole in the ground that has been reportedly formed due to treasure hunting operations.