5 illegal "treasure hunters" fall One of the suspects is also accused of rape by daughter

CEBU, Philippines - Five people were arrested for illegal treasure hunting at a government-owned property in Barangay Casay, Dalaguete last Friday.

The arrest has also emboldened an 18-year-old rape victim to come out and file charges against her father who was among the five illegal treasurer hunters arrested by the police.

The 52-year-old father, whose name withheld by the Freeman to protect the victim, was with Camilo Montecalvo, 60, of Barangay Casay; Ian Reponte, 25, of Barangay Tapon, Argao; Rogelio Ravina, 28, of Barangay Tuba, Dalaguete; and Niel Sarno, 38, of Barangay Suba, Argao allegedly digging treasures at the old Argao Beach Club.

They were led by Montecalvo, the head guard assigned to secure the property owned by the Philippine Tourism Authority.

Dalaguete police chief, Inspector Dexter Basirgo, said the suspects have already excavated about 10-meter deep but found no treasure.

“Possible naa sila’y treasure map kay sila ra pud ang nakahibalo ana kung naa ba’y treasure sa lugar (It is possible that they have treasure map because they knew about the alleged treasure in the area),” Basirgo said in a phone interview.

The five suspects who are now detained at the Dalaguete police station will be charged for violation of Section 48 Article 13 of the Republic Act 10066 or the National Culture Heritage Act of 2009.

The law prohibits anyone who explores, excavates, or undertakes diggings for the purpose of obtaining materials of cultural historical value without prior written authority from the National Museum. It likewise prohibits excavation or diggings without the supervision of a certified archeologist.

On top of it, the father who is accused of rape by his daughter will be charged with rape and illegal possession of firearm.

Basirgo said the 18-year-old victim came to file a complaint against her father after learning of the latter’s arrest. The victim stowaway from their place after her father raped her.

The victim told the police that her father threatened to kill her mother and the rest of her siblings if she would report what he did to her.

“Nilayas na sa ilaha nanarbaho human sa hitabo pero karon lang siya pakita pagkahibalo niya nadakpan iyang papa (She left home after the incident to look for work but went home after learning the arrest of her father),” Basirgo said.

Basirgo said they went to the suspect’s house and found an improvised shot gun with four rounds of live ammunition.    - THE FREEMAN