Treasure hunting in Cagayan’s famous Callao Caves probed

PEÑABLANCA, Cagayan — A multisectoral group is investigating reports that treasure hunters are operating inside Callao Caves, a famous tourist site here.

Blessida Diwa, Cagayan Valley (Region 2) director of the Department of Tourism, said the investigation team, composed of private groups and government agencies led by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, was formed after three workers of two treasure hunters — said to be former high-ranking police officials — were arrested last July 21.

Police said the three men were apprehended while they were digging in the upper portion of the seven-chambered Callao Caves.

Local tourism and environment officials expressed fear that the Callao Caves, touted to be one of the country’s best caves and a favorite destination of spelunkers because of its centuries-old stalactites and stalagmites and other limestone rock formations, would be destroyed if the diggings go unabated.

Chief Superintendent Jefferson Soriano, Cagayan Valley police director, said the three apprehended diggers were reportedly hired by a former police general and a former police major, whose identities were withheld pending investigation.

Police said one of the diggers, who had been in the caves for two weeks before they were arrested, claimed that they were not aware that they were digging for gold believed buried in the caves.

Diwa expressed hope that the ongoing investigation will once and for all stop illegal treasure hunting inside the Callao Caves, which is part of a declared protected area.

Early this year, President Arroyo approved a protected area status for the Callao Caves and Peñablanca’s 25 barangays, covering an area of 118,781 hectares, naming it the Peñablanca Protected Landscape and Seascape, in an effort to conserve the area’s rich biological and mineral resources.