Ibinunyag ni Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla nitong Biyernes na naghuhukay si suspended Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Gerald Bantag sa National Bilibid Prison (NBP) upang mahanap ang Yamashita treasure.
Mismong si Bantag aniya ang nagsabi sa kanya nitong Agosto o Setyembre hinggil sa paghahanap nito ng kayamanan ni World War II Japanese general Tomoyuki Yamashita.
"That was supposed to be a treasure hunt for Yamashita treasure. Originally. I was told by Director General Bantag about it. And I told him to stop it. I told him to stop it," pahayag ni Remulla sa isang panayam sa telebisyon.
“He opened up to me about it and I told him 'wag mo na gawin 'yan," sabi nito.
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"Ridiculous nga eh. Tsaka,you’rewasting government time and money. 'Di ko alam kung government time and money ginamit niya pero ridiculous para sa akin," aniya.
"You're not there toseek for treasure. You're there to run the corrections department," giit ni Remulla.
Matatandaangang nasabing malawak na hukay at tunnel ay nadiskubre ni BuCor officer-in-charge Gregorio Catapang, Jr. nitong nakaraang linggo.
Gayunman, binanggit ni Remulla na hindi niya alam kung kailan nagsimula ang paghuhukay o kung natagpuan na ni Bantag ang Yamashita treasure.
Inaalam na rin ni Remulla kung saan dinala ang mga panambak na mula sa hinukay na bahagi ng NBP.
"I have to check what happened there and saan napunta 'yung filling material kasi that’s a lot of money," anang kalihim.
Kamakailan, sinabi ni Bantag na gagawin sanang swimming pool ang nabanggit na hukay dahil isa umano siyang scuba diver.
