Apas folk risk raps for digging hole

CEBU, Philippines - A family in Barangay Apas, Cebu City is facing possible charges for digging a hole into the ground that the Mines and Geosciences Bureau said resembles illegal mining. 

The bureau yesterday issued a cease and desist order against the family of one Kimberly Ginseng for “ground exploration” without a permit from the city.

The house of Ginseng’s family sits on a cliff in sitio Rotunda.

Rodrigo Berdin Jr., chief of the Cebu City Mining and Regulatory Board, said City Ordinance 2115 requires anyone who wishes to extract sand and gravel to secure a permit from the board.

The ordinance states that extracting sand and gravel from beaches and river banks, including extractions and destruction of stalactites and stalagmites from caves, are strictly prohibited.

“Ato gyud ning ipasira kay hazardous kaayo ni sa mga residents kay ang soil made of anapog (limestone),” Berdin said.

Cebu City is made up of 70 percent limestone.

Nestor Ramos, CCMRB enforcement team leader, said the 10-feet horizontal entrance of the “mining” hole said that the slope and system used in excavating the property denotes treasure hunting.

“Ang ilang sistema gigamit pang-treasure hunting with direction left and right considering nga estimated 30 feet ang kalawmon. If lahi ilang intension ang kinawutan unta can either be horizontal or vertical,” Ramos said.

He said they also found two other “big holes” a few meters away from the main hole.

Ginseng admitted not securing a permit for excavation but denied they were hunting treasures. She said they started excavating this year after she reportedly dreamt of her father who passed away.

Apas Barangay Captain Ramil Ayuman said they have advised the family to stop excavating several times but the family reportedly did not heed the advice.

Ramos also said the family cannot use the dream to justify the digging.

“Di ta mutuo ana nga gipadamgo o unsa ba ang rason gumikan kay wala sila’y pertinent documents ikapakita. Naa pa laing portion gibangagan murag dugtungon ni. Delikado gyud, once taas gamay nga tay-og mo-collapse ni ngadto sa mga kabalayan sa ubos,” he said.

At least 80 residents have signed a manifesto opposing the supposed treasure hunting.

 “Kaming mga lumolupyo sa sitio nabalaka ug nahadlok sa gihimong pagkubkub ug paghimo og dako nga lungag…Kami naghangyo nga hatagan og dinaliang pagtagad aron mahunong nani illegal aktibidad,” the manifesto reads. – (FREEMAN)