Hole’s owner says it was deep well

CEBU, Philippines -  The mother of one of those electrocuted the other day in a hole in Sitio Pasil, Barangay Maslog, Danao City, alleged that the hole was being dug for an illegal mine but the owners of the hole, who are also parents of one of the casualties, said they were only digging a deep well.

In an interview over radio station dyAB Diomel Mayol’s mother, Imelda, said that the hole was a mine, in fact she saw a sieve at the site.

She said saw a commotion at the mouth of the hole and saw Jessina Miguel, the mother of fatality Jess Christian Miguel, and other people gathering there.

She saw she looked into the hole and saw Amick Buenconseho, Ernesto Ogabao and Jess Christian inside. Since she could not carry them out she called her son Diomel to carry them out.

She recalled someone only told her son “paghinay dong,” but not long after that because of the mud he slid and fell into the water in the hole and was also electrocuted.

He did not know that the water pump’s connection was not cut off at the time. 

But Jessina told reporters that it was a deep well and not a mine they were digging in their yard. She added she tried to rescue Bunconseho who had been electrocuted first but she could not reach the bottom of the hole and had to return to the surface.

Diomel’s brother Clifford, who was interviewed by the media, supported his mother’s claim that it was an illegal mining operation saying there was more equipment and even a jackhammer down the hole. He also said Buenconseho regularly went down the hole every 6 a.m. to dig so there was no way it could be a deep well.

He added their family plans to sue Jessina to get justice for his brother’s death.

Police Officer 3 Marlon Remollo said in an earlier interview that Buenconseho was at the bottom digging alone when the water level suddenly rose because the hole is located in the swampy area and it was also high tide at the time.

After the pump was submerged in water Bunconsheo was electrocuted. Miguel and Ogabao tried to rescue but they too were electrocuted.

It took search and rescue workers almost six hours to retrieve Mayol’s body and eight hours to retrieve the body of Miguel who was last to be recovered.

The police are still conducting further investigation to see if there was negligence and if someone is to be held liable for the accident.

Meanwhile, regional state environment agency stressed the importance of government regulation as this assures safety of those involved in mining or treasure hunting activities.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources Central Visayas spokesperson Eddie Llamedo said their agency, together with other government offices ensure that accidents and untoward incidents are prevented.

“The DENR has not issued an environmental compliance certificate (ECC) on the alleged treasure hunting operations based in our database with the Environmental Management Bureau. Since, treasure hunting is an extractive activity, it needs an approved ECC. This is the problem when the operation has not been legitimized by any government permits or licenses because safety is compromised,” Llamedo said.

Treasure hunting, he added, is a delicate endea-vor and should only be done by experts and specialists.

Treasure hunting permits are only issued by the National Museum and this should be backed by supporting documents from DENR like ECC, but Llamedo stressed that they only issue this as soon as all clearances and other mandatory requirements are complied with.

“The barangay captain can enforce the stoppage of the illegal treasure hunting. Under Presidential Decree 1586 or the Philippine Environmental Impact System Law, the operators may be slapped a penalty of P50,000 for operating without an ECC,” Llamedo explained.

To make sure that miners safely get out especially during emergency situations, two openings must be made as the second one serves as an emergency exit.

“It (the opening) must be supported by proper timbering with proper ventilation, lighting, water pumps, and pulley. These should be clearly stated in a work program or development plan. But since this is an illegal activity, I suppose no work program has been prepared. Workers should be equipped with appropriate personal protective equipment. In the said plan, evacuation plans should be stated clearly,” Llamedo said.

As to varying reports referring to the digging as mining or treasure hunting, Llamedo reiterated that safety measures must be upheld in all circumstances.

“Whether they are up for treasures or gold, they have no permits. The barangay captain can issue an order stopping it,” he said.  —/BRP (FREEMAN)