DENR, Ilocos Norte execs stop treasure hunt in Paoay dunes

POLICEMEN and environment officials of Ilocos Norte uncover three dig sites operated by treasure hunters at coral rock formations near the popular Paoay sand dunes. LEILANIE ADRIANO/INQUIRER NORTHERN LUZON

PAOAY, Ilocos Norte—The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on Wednesday stopped treasure hunting at a coral rock formation near a popular tourist site here.

A government team found the excavation site, which was estimated to be 17 meters deep, at Sitio Culili in Barangay Masintoc, a few meters from the Paoay sand dunes.

No permit

Oliver Cadang, the team leader from the Ilocos Norte provincial environment and resources office (Penro), said they stopped the operation because the dig site did not have a permit from the government.

The team of hunters held for questioning are Asuncion Mariano of Cavite province and his companions Jen Aspiras of Laguna province, Nora San Juan of Quezon City, Jimmy Manaois of Pangasinan province, Louie Franco of Taguig City and Edilberto Agamata of Dingras town, Ilocos Norte, who served as the camp watchman.

Excavation

Mariano showed the team a photocopy of a treasure hunting permit supposedly issued on Aug. 23 by the National Museum of the Philippines. But he did not show an excavation permit issued by the town government, Cadang said.

Fishermen in the area said they noticed the excavation at night but they kept quiet believing it was allowed by the provincial government. Leilanie Adriano, Inquirer Northern Luzon