Mayor orders end to treasure hunting

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- Mayor Gregorio Abalos issued a cease and desist order on Monday against the family of Jack Dulnuan to stop digging activities within their property, which are believed to have caused the sinking of nearby grounds.
  
Last week, several neighbors of the former Jack's Canteen in Km. 6, Betag complained to town officials on the continuous and alarming cracking and sinking of their grounds, which started last Sunday. The residents believed there is an illegal mining activity occurring inside Dulnuan's building, which caused the cracks and sinks.

With the complaints, Abalos along with the Municipal Engineering Office, Department of Environment and Natural Resources–Mines and Geosciences Bureau, and representatives from the Philippines National Police – La Trinidad conducted an ocular inspection within the vicinity of the Dulnuan's property and its nearby areas.
  
"There is a reason to believe that further digging activities will exacerbate the situation by now posing imminent danger to lives and property. In view thereof, you are hereby ordered to immediately cease and desist from further conducting excavations and related activities within your property," the order of Abalos read.
  
Should the respondent fail to comply, La Trinidad will institute summary measures for the public's safety.
  
Lety Bagtilay, who is one among the neighbors of the Dulnuan's property, said during an exclusive interview with Sun.Star, that they believed there is an illegal mining being done inside the building. She revealed they were able to talk to a certain Rose Dulnuan (daughter of Jack Dulnuan) and reported their concern. She added they had been airing their concern when the cracks (at the first house) started last year to Rose.
  
However, Rose had been pleading with them to give her one more month to fix the problem until it became a year.
  
The owner of the adjacent house of Dulnuan's property, Charito Tanduyog, showed the reporter cracks inside their house. The cracks on the grounds are almost all over the Tanduyog’s property; the house's ground is totally wrecked, which includes the kitchen, and the living room, among others.
  
Tanduyog's family started to pack their belongings ready to evacuate but has nowhere to go. Charito pleaded the local officials to help and provide them alternative lot to live in.