Yamashita Treasure

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When I took over my new parish assignment here in a small village in southern Bukidnon, in the Island of Mindanao, Philippines, rumors have it that during the Second World War the Japanese made a last stance here, before surrendering to the USAFFE, the United States Arm Forces in Fareast. Along with them were the fabled Yamashita treasures, the loot taken from neighboring Asian countries, which the Japanese wanted to transport to the Motherland. Fearing US submarines and airstrikes, the Japanese unloaded the treasures in the port of Cagayan de Oro in northern Mindanao and transported them inland to the port of Davao in southern Mindanao, through an epic journey using Filipino prisoners of war as porters and carriers of the booty. In the port of Davao, the Japanese armada awaited the arrival of the goods. But, it never arrived. The question is, “Where are the fabled Yamashita treasures now”? This non-arrival of the goods fuelled a flurry of speculations from treasure hunters here and abroad that somewhere along the route the gold might have been hidden and it must not be difficult to find it, because of the exigencies of the raging war. Since the Japanese Imperial Army took a last stance here in this tiny village, they must have buried the gold somewhere here. Until now, the digging frenzy has not abated. There are holes everywhere – in the village plaza, beside the parish convent, under the belfry, along the river banks and elsewhere. Fake gold bars were sold to unsuspecting would-be buyers. Shita river, which flows and cascades from Matigsalug Range in Kitaotao, Bukidnon, so the local legend goes, comes from the name Yamashita himself, the Japanese Imperial Army General who coordinated the gold transport. His sword and telescope are said to be in the possession of my predecessor, a former parish priest here. Truth be told though that until now there has never been a single gold bar found. As former Bishop Emeritus Honesto Pacana used to say, treasure hunting becomes more intense, when the economy of the country sinks deeper in the morass. Photo credits: Pixabay