POLOMOLOK, South Cotabato — Authorities have launched an investigation into an alleged illegal treasure hunting activity in a mountainous area of Barangay Landan, Polomolok, following a community report that prompted a joint inspection on January 14, 2025.
Personnel from the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region XII, together with the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office – Forest Protection and Wildlife Enforcement (MENRO-FPWE), conducted the inspection in Purok Bato, accompanied by barangay tanod, local guides, and community representatives.
Upon reaching the site, the joint team documented the presence of tools believed to be used for treasure hunting and discovered a large excavated hole measuring approximately two meters in diameter and around 12 feet deep. Authorities said the excavation indicated active ground disturbance and posed serious risks to both environmental stability and public safety.
“The size and depth of the excavation are alarming. It is not only dangerous for those involved but also threatens the integrity of the surrounding environment,” a DENR official said.
An initial interview with the landowner revealed that the respondent believed the digging was permissible since the area is privately owned. However, DENR clarified that any form of excavation, particularly activities linked to treasure hunting, remains subject to existing environmental laws, regulations, and permit requirements, regardless of land ownership.
The Monitoring and Enforcement Section Chief, who led the joint inspection, directed that further actions be undertaken through a dialogue process with the concerned parties. This will include the implementation of Community-Based Law Enforcement (CBLE) mechanisms to raise awareness on environmental laws, establish key agreements, and determine appropriate legal and administrative actions.
Authorities emphasized that illegal treasure hunting not only violates environmental regulations but also endangers lives and can cause irreversible damage to ecosystems.
DENR-12 urged the public to remain vigilant and to report any similar activities in their communities, stressing that protecting natural resources is a shared responsibility.
“This operation underscores the importance of community participation in safeguarding our environment. We will continue to act on credible reports to prevent illegal activities that threaten our forests and public safety,” the agency said.