Treasure hunting at John Hay probed

BAGUIO CITY—Three officials of John Hay Management Corp. (JHMC) have been suspended as government regulators of the John Hay Special Economic Zone investigate a suspected treasure hunting operation inside the former American rest and recreation center here.

Jamie Agbayani, JHMC president, confirmed the probe but declined to give details. “Please be informed that an investigation on the matter is ongoing, and I am not at liberty to disclose the details at this time, including the identities of the suspects as it may prejudice the proceedings,” Agbayani said in a text message.

A government source, who asked not to be named to avoid reprisal, said the three JHMC officials had commissioned a work crew to repair the basement of the historic Bell House at Camp John Hay.

But the workers were instead asked to dig a 20-foot-deep hole in December 2012, the source said.

The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) was informed about the digging last week, the source added.

BCDA president Arnel Paciano Casanova declined to issue a statement on Friday, pending a JHMC board meeting that would discuss the investigation.

The police have no record of a treasure hunting complaint from JHMC.

Agbayani on Saturday inspected the basement of the Bell House, which had been cordoned off by yellow tape.

The Camp John Hay website said the Bell House was turned into a concentration camp for American and British citizens during World War II. Vincent Cabreza, Inquirer Northern Luzon