10 TREASURE HUNTERS ARRESTED  FOR  EXCAVATION AT BULACAN SHRINE

BY KEVIN GALANG

TEN treasure hunters on Thursday were arrested  while doing an excavation at a shrine in Bgy. Real De Cacarong, Pandi, Bulacan.

In a report to Police Regional Office 3 director Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan, the Bulacan police said arrested were Reynaldo Santos, 68, of Bgy. Paltoc Angat, Bulacan; Soul Bayongasan, 27, a driver; Jeremiah Taneo, 40; Hannah Joy Taneo, 21; Nathaniel Laoyan, 18; Sam  Laoyan, 34; Danilo Cuebo, 40; Mark Laoyan, 38, a farmer; William Santos, 37; and Mae Santiago, 20, all of Carangyan, Nueva Ecija. 

According to barangay captain Alejandro Angeles of Bgy. Real de Cacarong, they received a call that some people were digging the concrete fence footing of the Inang Filipina Shrine, a historical tourist spot destination in the municipality of Pandi in Bulacan and making a tunnel.

Police said the suspects failed to show any permit or document allowing the excavation.

The group was informed that what they are doing is illegal that led to their arrest.

The  treasure hunters were brought to Pandi Municipal Police Station for further investigation.

Seized from the suspects were two shovels, a crowbar or bareta, a jungle bolo, two flashlights,  a mining detector and  a Toyota Hi-ace commuter  van.

All arrested suspects will be charged with violation of RA 7942 or the Philippine Mining Act of 1975 at the Prosecutor’s Office in the City of Malolos in Bulacan.