|
Monday, May 08, 2006
Airport official stops Yamashita treasure hunt
AN AIRPORT official in this city has ordered a stop of diggings inside the airport compound last week for fear these could endanger airplanes and their passengers.
Air Transportation Office Manager Nathaniel Nazareno said a German national and some local residents sought his permission to inspect a portion of the airport that allegedly contain treasures left by the Japanese Imperial Army during World War II.
"They presented a letter from the mayor's office so we let them see the site. Lately, we discovered they started digging and we have to stop this to avoid risking the airplanes and their passengers," Nazareno said.
The tunnel dug by the treasure hunters was just 50 meters away from the runway portion.
Nazareno said the treasure hunters have no permit from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and that the letter from the mayor's office presented to him was only for inspection purposes.
The treasure hunters also reportedly submitted a document from the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples to inspect the airport for hidden treasures.
The airport in General Santos was built with the assistance of the United States Agency for International Development.
It has a 3,200-meter by 45-meter concrete runway capable of handling wide passenger planes including the largest US military aircraft.
The Japanese Imperial Army established several garrisons in General Santos known as Buayan, a district of then undivided Cotabato province.
Some of the Japanese-built bunkers still exist.
The Japanese presence in the city prompted many to believe that part of the treasures looted by the Japanese soldiers in other countries was buried in General Santos. (RBS)
For Bisaya stories from General Santos.Click here. (This section is updated every Monday)
(May 8, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
|
