Seagrave also shared how his offices were bugged, not by Marcos, but by Washington, and that his researchers were often confronted and intimidated by shadowy figures who demanded they cease their investigations immediately. No-one was interested. Its going to be dusty, dirty, and there are going to be rodents and spiders, and were probably going to find the gold bars lying on the floor down there somewhere., McDougald said he based his belief that treasure exists on the material that his group is using to locate the site--World War II-era Japanese maps and later engineering drawings and photographs supplied by Curtis. Today, only $1.4 million has been paid out to the Roxas estate. Bob woke up a couple hours later in the early evening and noticed that Billy was nowhere to be seen. Andrew Gough, Henry highlighting the fake golden buddha affair More of that, he encouraged. 0000003549 00000 n What interests might the United States have that would enable the Supreme Court decision to be ignored? Before long they gained access to the tunnel system, including tracks, rails and side tunnels. The director simply said, whenever you are ready, and he proceeded to speak uninterrupted for over an hour. During World War II, the Philippines briefly fell to the Japanese, being finally surrendered in April and May of 1942. So McDougald has dropped his previous secrecy and found the spare time to schedule daily press conferences on the lawn outside the torture chamber--at least until he hits pay dirt. Whatever they did plunder had likely been well spent building the Imperial Navy well before the end of the war. Jim Hawkins, the protagonist of Robert Louis Stevenson 's 1881 novel, Treasure Island. Andrew Gough, A leaf of the bogtalay tree They have a tendency to overreach, exaggerating the roles of Japanese gangsters and ex-military American bit-players when the bankers, politicians and CIA operatives are scary enough. startxref Many people began to say that the valley was cursed, haunted, or filled with members of the Naha tribe who were waiting to kill Europeans who entered their territory. Andrew Gough. We can gain some insight into part of this by looking into who these authors were and the cultural context in which they wrote. McDougald was reluctant to discuss details of the groups actual mining methods, but he stayed in character when describing what he expects to find at the end of the tunnel. I could do that, I thought. Watch the two-hour special of The Curse of Yamashitas Gold on Forbidden History, Series 6, on Discovery Science and other international channels from April 2020. Nope, we had to move on; places to be. A few moments later I closed my eyes and chugged a glassful of its blood. He left Colorado in search of the lost gold mine in the Superstition Mountains of Arizona. Imelda Marcoss mother had been a big fan of the healer. The sheriffs department brought in a search-and-rescue team with dogs. Los Angeles Times Communications LLC, 6 Mar. I had to see the Baguio Hospital treasure site for myself. What did you uncover? I asked inquisitively. Andrew Gough. You dont mind if Klaus videotapes this, do you? I asked cautiously, but with a tone that suggested I would not be denied. Cite this article: Amelia claimed to have been contacted by Ferdinand Marcos, the deceased former president of the Philippines, who thanked her for her prayers and informed her that he was in purgatory. This is something I was told had happened to other treasure hunters as well. Please contact us with any corrections or feedback. Andrew Gough. By the time I arrived at the next bamboo ladder my knees were cut and bleeding. But how? This was a game changer. Much to his surprise, and with no background or training in the discipline, Klaus achieved instant success. As there was no easy way for others to get in contact with the families of the deceased, thousands of people simply disappeared from the lives of their loved ones.[8]. In all, Prince Chichibu is said to have managed the construction of one hundred and seventy-five treasure sites, all across the Philippines. Cathcart recounted how one afternoon a notice was sent to law offices across the country, detailing how a Filipino locksmith was suing his president, Ferdinand Marcos, for having stolen a golden buddha and assorted treasure that he had discovered in the Philippines. Rather, Klaus and others embark on a more laborious, albeit secure and spiritually attuned, process using a hammer and chisel, while observing the symbols that the Shinto priests had left behind, and heeding the vital guidance that they provide. And yet, the man does not charge for his services. I was not aware that Peggy had passed away the previous year, and that Sterling had only just passed in May 2017, aged 80. It was apparent to Roxas that Judge Pio Marcos was the informer, not the mastermind behind the siege, for his nephew, President Marcos, had long sought confirmation of the existence of Japanese treasure hoards in the Philippines. Whilst on trial, General Yamashita defended the charges of war crimes that were levelled against him: My command was as big as MacArthurs or Lord Louis Mountbattens. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. Fuchigami recounted a time when his father had taken him to a treasure tunnel behind Baguio Hospital, and explained how the tunnel tracks and handrails had been used for transporting large quantities of gold. I was riveted as Cathcart recalled that tragic day and was leaning forward in anticipation as he spoke, when suddenly his carer abruptly corrected him and blurted out facts about the case that I found startling and incongruous from a healthcare professional who had claimed to know nothing about the affair. Roxas was determined to get it out of the chamber as fast as he could, but even with a group of strong young men they struggled to extract it, until finally applying a technique involving rolling logs and rope. He explained how a team had successfully excavated a large portion of the site before a typhoon and resulting mud slide had buried years of excavation work. I need your help.. Andrew Gough. By JOHN ROGERS September 24, 2019. 0000017483 00000 n Thank you for giving me your life. Ill explain, but were not at the bottom yet. Out of that inquisition Cathcart identified a number of people, still living, who might validate Roxass story, and his team pursued them with vivacity. She logged onto Facebook and discovered a post featuring a link to The Truth About Yamashitas Gold documentary. On my last night, after dinner, Klaus brought out a perfectly shaped cement heart complete with a flawlessly carved artery. Given the lack of any findings and the shaky nature of the most prominent support for there being any truth to the legend of Yamashita's Gold, we can summarize a few points about the Yamashita's Gold story: If that gold does exist anywhere, it exists in a superposition: it was plundered and spent long ago by the corrupt Marcos regime; it was plundered and spent long ago by the CIA; it was taken back to Japan and distributed among the organized crime community; and it somehow still exists in tunnels waiting for History Channel camera crews. 2019. The intimidating entrance to the tunnel shaft Kidd had decided to create a treasure hunt of his own. While in Los Angeles I also met with Dan Cathcart, the lawyer who had famously represented Roxas in the Supreme Court and had heroically won the case over Ferdinand Marcos. Robert Hunter, the longtime lyricist for Grateful Dead, died on Sept. 23, 2019; he was 78. He said, until recent times a large metal stake had been secured by the Japanese in a nearby tree that pointed to the spot. In the morning we drove to the University of the Philippines Diliman for the last interview of the trip: the Universitys renowned Second World War historian, Ricardo T. Jose, PhD. I scaled the second descending passage with slightly greater confidence and speed than the first, and as I arrived at the bottom and crept along the next tunnel passage to where Klaus was standing, I was amazed to see that the floor and walls were perfectly smooth. The rest, as they say, is history, he concluded, slowly, his speech somewhat impeded by the advanced state of his illness. The cobra settles down in its mesh cage Kidd originally left $500,000 behind. This is how wide you can dig. You climb down and back up each of these sites twice a day? I asked in disbelief. 26 Apr. The plan was that I was to be the quester and Klaus was to be the person who convinces me the whole thing is real. The United States had stumbled upon the greatest treasure hoards in history, including more gold bullion than was known to be in existence, and would use this unfathomable wealth to influence world affairs, win the Cold War, launch a space programme, and create a new world order. After about two hours of digging, McSherry walked over to Dametz to let him know that it was time to drive home. The next morning he arrived in his office to discover that the cleaning crew had not visited the night before. They were not going to give up their secrets to a production team with hi-tech equipment and a $1 million an episode budget, who were on location for a week to excavate. Net Worth: $1 Million Occupation: Treasure Hunter, TV Celebrity & Former Police Officer Birthday: January 6, 1941 Birthplace: Summerland Key, Florida Birth Sign: Capricorn Date of Death: February 19, 2018 Place of Death: Iraan, Texas Nationality: American Ethnicity: Caucasian Married: Twice Children: Darrell, Lauren, Kim, and Kelly Instagram: NA After a long morning of work, Bob and Billy decided to take an afternoon nap. Much to my surprise he responded straight away and said he was busy with something very important and very ancient. Locals commented that everyone knows to stay away from that area in the summertime because the extreme heat can be dangerous.[10]. Andrew Gough. I returned to England and became engulfed by life and my time-consuming corporate job. This included dismissing cyanide as a poison that can travel through the air, and numerous character attacks on Seagrave and Curtis. Explaining how the fatal cave-in happened, McDougald began to sound as if he was talking about the Temple of Doom, as well as looking the part. Roxas had been caught out. No thanks It read, I understand you met with my brother, Henry, in Baguio. Fair enough. The incredibly ambitious, albeit cruel, initiative was overseen by Japanese princes, most notably Yasuhito, Prince Chichibu, the brother of Emperor Hirohito. He simply slit her open with his fingers. We said goodbye to Henry and headed out for lunch. Curtis had raised funding for his treasure hunt by claiming that Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos himself had personally invited him to recover the gold based on his unique expertise. Curtis then used another old miner's trick to attract funding to go back and continue the hunt: he claimed his team's expulsion was the result of being just inches away from a fabulous treasure room worth billions that Marcos wanted for himself. I left the cobras meat for the caretakers family to consume and headed for the airport. Roger ROXAS and The Golden Budha Corporation, a foreign corporation, Plaintiffs-Appellees/Cross-Appellants, v. Ferdinand E. MARCOS and Imelda Marcos, Defendants-Appellants/Cross-Appellees. Still, this was easier than hiking through the thick underbrush. Andrew Gough, Patrick interviews Roger Roxass son, Henry Still, I had but one thought on my mind. The vaults would remain secret. Bob Curtis. Get the day's top news with our Today's Headlines newsletter, sent every weekday morning. The bogtalay tree is regarded as sacred in the East. Perhaps he believed that other men had died from lack of survival training and that his skills at living outdoors would be enough to find the gold mines and make him a rich man. In one 1999 case hundreds of men signed an affidavit attesting to the fact that they had worked on a so-called restoration project that had covertly performed massive digging operations to recover thousands of metric tonnes of gold, not to mention precious gemstones. I had felt the same energy when I was dowsing with Klaus. While in Baguio, Valmores pulled out a map of the hospital treasure complex from his secret portfolio and handed it to Roxas. Roxas was shown a search warrant with Pios signature that mentioned something about illegal possession of firearms. He described the odds as 5% more chance than highly probable, approaching absolute certainty.. Two Australian brokers: who testified that in the early 1980s they had negotiated nine contracts with Marcos to sell what amounted to $1.63 trillion-worth of gold bullion. A powerful, all-purpose line that hit the sweet spot of subversive clichs, it made speakers appear smarter than they are. Roxas was convinced there was treasure buried around the Baguio Hospital, but was unsure exactly where to look. Our conversation prompted me to reach out to Roxass wife and daughter. That would be too dangerous. Everybody was shattered by that point, but none more than me. Klaus extended his elbows and fixed his clenched fists against his chest. Andrew Gough. Tunnels filled with a foot of water After a raucous reception dinner we agreed a plan for the next several days. Klaus had nailed it. He shared that he and his wife had their emails and phone calls monitored and had received repeated death threats. I was moved by Cathcarts story; it was epic, tragic and inspirational. In addition to Okubo, Roxas gained valuable insight from Albert Fuchigami, whose father had been a Japanese officer in the Second World War. As dozens of Filipino reporters crowded around, firing questions, the 47-year-old San Francisco author and academic casually adjusted his white Panama hat, shifted his bronze-hilted hunting knife and explained just how convinced he and his Nevada-based company are that they are digging in the right place for buried treasure that could help retire the Philippines $29-billion foreign debt. And yet, from the claims of the Seagraves, to those of Curtis and McDougald, to those of Roxas and his team of lawyers, and the stories of all the other countless seekers of the treasure over the decades, not one single speck of gold has been found, nor any piece of corroborating evidence of any kind. Their attack on the East was brutal, and largely airbrushed from history. 2023 Skeptoid Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. They were apparitions; ghost soldiers. Absolutely not, the healer said. 24 Aug. 2005, Newspaper. ; There are a total of 4 of these High Stakes Treasure maps hunt, but you only receive a reward from the final treasure map worth $1500. Klaus explained how the Japanese engineering maps have long since disappeared, and to avoid chiselling into a hidden cyanide deposit, excavators like himself were required to bring in a dowser multiple times a week to check for danger. Andrew Gough. When his body was finally discovered in 2012, it was 11 meters (35 ft) off the ground inside a crevasse on the edge of a cliff. Congratulations you are almost there. 0000008710 00000 n I soon learned what Klaus was doing in the Philippines, and how he had ended up there. No sooner than I was reflecting on the creepiness of being there, Klaus screamed. Real or imagined, I was perceived as an expert on the subject. Eventually, Marcos concluded it was futile to torture Roxas further and released him after what had amounted to two years imprisonment. I was also disappointed to learn that the History Channel had made a reality TV series about a team of questers seeking Japanese treasure in the Philippines, after every channel and production house informed me it was a bad idea. Yamashita, known as the . Johnson, C. "The Looting of Asia." My interest in the story had been rejuvenated, albeit under the most peculiar of circumstances. Andrew Gough. The group fled the country in July, 1978, and did not return until late last year. As I suspected, he was questing for Japanese treasure pillaged from Asia, but how he had got started was another story altogether. The cameraman was brilliant, and not impressed with the fact that he was prohibited from entering the tunnels to do his job. The director reluctantly agreed to film her, but she became tense and anxious in the spotlight of the film crew. Although Roxas presented no evidence whatsoever other than personal testimony from many of his associates all of whom had banded together as the "Golden Buddha Corporation" which existed only to pursue this lawsuit they somehow managed to win the case, and were awarded over 40 billion dollars. Lives in La Mirada, California. He had a copper mining company and also staked a claim on plots of land that he used to mine gold. The doomed engineers had installed booby traps at each of the one hundred and seventy-five treasure sites either explosives and/or cyanide. A love of China and its people ran deep in young Sterling's blood. Could he have harnessed the legendary viral energy that I had read so much about? While he kept an active presence on the speaker circuit, he flat-out refused to appear in the usual history/mystery TV shows, claiming that they were not serious enough. 0000002983 00000 n How to Extract Adrenochrome from Children, Why You Needn't Worry About the Missing 411. 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