Mystery tunnel in Baguio market baffles cops

THE CITY government discovered this tunnel inside the Baguio City Public Market. E.V. ESPIRITU/INQUIRER NORTHERN LUZON

BAGUIO CITY—The city government’s public order and safety division uncovered on Thursday a tunnel big enough for a vehicle to run through inside the public market, and police feared it was dug up to gain access to nearby establishments, including banks.

In November 2012, the Baguio police inspected the city’s American-era drainage system when it found evidence it was also being used by robbers.

But vendors and other businessmen operating near the tunnel said authorities were mistaken. Zita Gongon, president of a market association which holds office near the tunnel, said the cavern, which can run to a depth of 40 feet, had been there since 1992 but the city government never sealed it.

“We discovered it when we cleaned the surrounding area,” Gongon said. Police, however, also found fresh bags of earth around the tunnel. Reports from Vincent Cabreza and EV Espiritu