Priest suspended over illegal treasure hunting in Iloilo

An archbishop has ordered the indefinite suspension of a priest over unauthorized treasure hunting inside a cemetery in San Joaquin town, Southern Iloilo.

In a report posted on the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) news website, Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo has relieved Fr. Nelson Silvela of his duties as parish priest of San Joaquin for allowing a group of men to dig inside Campo Santo, a Spanish-era cemetery.

The cemetery has already been declared a national cultural treasure.

Archbishop Lagdemeo said neither the archdiocese nor the National Historical Institute issued a permit for the treasure hunting.

“By the very fact, it should become a warning to other priests not to do the same thing,” Lagdameo said over Church-run Radio Veritas on Wednesday.

“It’s not part of their jobs and the archdiocese and the national heritage should be informed about it beforehand,” he added.

The police arrested at least 10 suspected treasure hunters on Feb. 24 as they excavated a 50-foot hole inside the cemetery. They are currently detained at the San Joaquin police station jail. — BAP, GMA News