Authorities confirmed one fatality, a certain Roberto Zamora, said to be a trusted timberman of Diwalwal barangay chairman Franco Tito.
Compostela Valley Gov. Jose Caballero said at least 10 miners were rescued Wednesday night, including a certain Jun Enriquez who had difficulty breathing due to suffocation.
The tire burning was blamed on the raging conflict between small-scale miners and big-time mining financiers at Mt. Diwalwal.
Last month, President Arroyo directed Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte to help find a lasting solution to the long-standing dispute at the gold-rush site which has claimed several lives. — Edith Regalado