Yamashita's gold: Difference between revisions

Yamashita's gold is the name given to loot worth billions of dollars stolen from East and Southeast Asia by Japanese forces during World War II and hidden in the Philippines. This article discusses the history and the present with reliance on research, sustainable facts and nothing less. The writer welcomes academic discussion and input to this article because on a global level, vast sums are being lost daily by financiers' and investors' pumping money into fictitious Treasure Hunting projects and scams in the Philippines. These scams cause vaste losses but importantly, they bring disrepute and bad fame to the Philippines Government and make a mockery of history and the work of historians.

The Yamashita Gold treasure trove takes its name from General Yamashita Tomoyuki, who assumed command of Japanese forces in the Philippines in 1944. The "gold" includes many different kinds of valuables looted from banks, depositories, mosques, temples, churches, shops, museums and private homes. It was intended that loot from South East Asia would finance Japan's war effort. Most of the loot was first shipped to the port of Singapore, where it was then relayed to the Philippines. From the Philippines, it was intended that the treasure would be shipped to the Japanese home islands.

As the Pacific War progressed, Allied submarines and aircraft took a heavy toll on Japan's shipping. Some ships carrying loot back to Japan were sunk. The Japanese military began to hide the loot in caves and underground complexes throughout the Philippines, hoping to recover it after the war was over. Many of those who knew the locations of the loot were either executed or incarcerated for war crimes, including Yamashita. Thus, the whereabouts of the treasure locations were lost. Many years later, Filipino dictator Ferdinand Marcos located some of the treasure and obtained part of his personal fortune from it. His recoveries are known as the "Marcos gold". In 1995, Philippine government agents’ recovered two tons of platinum with a value of US$480 million, part of the hoard. Aside from these finds, others finds are not sufficiently documented.

Roger Roxas, a treasure hunter from Baguio City found numerous gold bars along with a Golden Buddha with a detachable head. The inside of the Buddha's body was filled with gems and other artifacts of value. Roxas was a locksmith and for three years searched for a hidden underground trove, which he eventually found. Unfortunately news of the find reached President Marcos who was aware of the existence of Yamashita's treasure and his military staff forcibly took the recovered treasure, away from Roxas.

When the gold was buried, it was done in anticipation that the Americans would defeat the Japanese and the underground vaults, tunnels, and entrances were booby trapped with gas, explosives, and water. The water traps were created by digging 300 - 350 feet underground in the dry months, at which time the water table was at its lowest.

Robert Szatmary _[1] a leading authority on Yamashita Treasure Gold recovery and comercialization, offers absolue and legally binding proof that Yamashita Gold treasure existed. Contrary to comments otherwise, there is no legal basis to argue this proof:

The proof, references and source

Reference: The case of Roxas v. Marcos,969 P.2d 1209 (Haw. 11/17/1998),Hawaii Supreme Court NO. 20606 89 Haw. 91, 969 P.2d 1209, 1998.HI.42027 is an important reference and proof that Yamashita Treasure Gold existed, once upon a time.

It was a claim for payment of Yamashita Treasure Gold stolen by Ferdinand Marcos from the treasure hunter, Roxas. Prolonged legal actions of the highest order have resulted in Hawaiian Supremem Court rulings proving that the Yamashita Treasure Gold recovered by Roxas, entitled him to a major share of the proceeds. The litigation exposed the vulnerability of treasure hunters who find Yamashita’s Gold. The treasure hunter of past was almost powerless in opposing the Philippine Government should it order the surrender of discovered Yamashita Gold and treasure, to it.

The Philippine Government enacted laws to protect treasure hunters by legislating for profit sharing schemes, relating to recovered Yamashita Treasure Gold. The laws set out the treasure hunter's obligations and methods of sharing the income.

Profit Sharing Laws of the Republic of the Philippines

Reference: Department of Environment and Natural Resources - ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER No. 2004 – 33, Amendments to Department of Environment and Natural Resources Administrative Order No. 2002-04, Otherwise Known as the “Rules and Regulations Governing the Issuance of Permits for Treasure Hunting, Shipwreck/Sunken Vessel Recovery and Disposition of Recovered Treasures/Valuable Cargoes, Including Hoarded Hidden Treasures”. Section 14 (Sharing) offers the following protection and benefits, for treasure recovery. After an audited report of expenses has been evaluated and approved by the Oversight Committee, the sharing of the net proceeds shall be as follows:

1. For Treasure Hunting within Public Lands – Seventy-five percent (75%) to the Government and twenty-five (25%) to the Permit Holder;

2. For Treasure Hunting in Private Lands – Thirty Percent (30%) to the Government and Seventy Percent (70%) to be shared by the Permit Holder and the landowner; and

3. For Shipwreck/Sunken Vessel Recovery – Fifty percent (50%) to the Government and Fifty percent (50%) to the Permit Holder.”

The recovery of stolen treasure gold is not beyond the potential of adequately equipped treasure hunters. It is a legitimate venture because the Philippine Government enacted strict laws protecting the interests of treasure hunters, as well as its own. [1]