3 siblings fall into septic tank as shanty collapses

MANILA, Philippines - Three siblings fell into a septic tank after their shanty, which was built above the tank, collapsed during a heavy downpour in Quezon City Thursday night.

The three Olmoges children – Sheryl, 5; Sherilyn, 4; and Sherwin, nine months old – were immediately rescued from the tank. Police said the children are under observation because they ingested some of the liquid in the tank. A guest in their shanty, Neil Liporada, sustained minor injuries.

Superintendent Oscar Palisoc, commander of the Quezon City Police District-Station 8, said the two houses, with several “cubicles” occupied by four families, in Barangay Escopa III collapsed at around 10:30 p.m.

Other residents got out of the shanties after hearing rumblings just before the collapse.

“These informal settlers had built their houses above the septic tank that was built way back in 1989,” Palisoc said.

He said all the affected families were brought to the village hall, where they will be temporarily sheltered.

“I doubt it if the village chairman would allow them to go back to the area until the facility is fixed and safe homes are built for them,” Palisoc said.  – Reinir Padua