Photo is artist's concept of Huluga before project. Put mouse over to see the condition in 2003.

Huluga is an archaeological site in Cagayan de Oro, Philippines.The place was discovered and studied in the 70s by scholars of Xavier University and the National Museum -- among them the archaeologist Dr. Erlinda M. Burton, who used to work with Dr. Louis S.B. Leakey in the Calico Archaeological Site.

In 1992, the National Museum gave Huluga accession numbers, giving it formal recognition as an archaeological site. Korean contractors hired by mayor Vicente Yap Emano left the area when they learned it was a cultural heritage.

In 2003, Emano and his new Filipino contractor, UKC Builders, Inc.,bulldozed Obsidian Hill to give way to a bridge. The damage, reported by national dailies, caused a national uproar and even reached South Korean officials and journalists, who were told of a visit by a "cultural terrorist" from Cagayan de Oro.

MORE DESTRUCTION.In 2007, a national report about quarrying in Obsidian Hill prompted mayor Constantino Jaraula to publicly acknowledged Huluga as a heritage site. But Jaraula broke his promise to fence the area. Instead, Jaraula went halfway around the globe to Norfolk, Virginia, USA to forge a sister-city agreement, citing historical tie with Gen. Douglas MacArthur.

Dr. Antonio Montalvan II, Dr. Erlinda Burton, and Angel Bautista at the Xavier Estates archaeological site.

RECENT DISCOVERY. In 2009, an ancient grave in Huluga and an archaeological site in Xavier Estates were found. A Brown Company, Inc. (ABCI), Xavier University, and Capitol University agreed to share in funding the excavation of the sites, as suggested by National Museum archaeologist Angel Bautista. ABCI board chairman Walter Brown expressed willingness to construct a museum in Xavier Estates if significant artifacts were retrieved. Brown even postponed earth-moving activities for three months there -- a financial sacrifice -- but the National Museum cancelled the plan. HCA received information that mayor Vicente Yap Emano was behind the rejection.

As of February 9, 2012, Huluga remains unprotected.