CEBU, Philippines - Two men died after a portion of the cliff they were digging caved in last Friday at around 9:30 in the morning in Sitio Libas, Barangay Cagcagan, Poro, Camotes Island.
It took 30 minutes for the Poro rescue team and the police to retrieve the bodies of Eliseo Tindog, 59, of Sitio Tugas, of the said barangay and Nandy “Tata†Estrera, 30, of Sitio Kapasanan, Barangay San Jose.
The two were declared dead by the municipal health officer, Dr. Mabel Huete.
They had two companions who were able to run to safety.
The victims were reportedly digging limestone which will be used to fill in an area for the construction of the house owned by the daughter of Tindog.
SPO2 David Sotto who is investigating the case said Tindog and Estrera failed to notice that the shallow portion of the cliff gradually collapsed.
“Ang duha nakadagan kay distansiya man sila ang duha ka namatay maoy natakuban sa anapog,†Sotto said in a phone interview. (Two others were able to run.) He added that it was also raining at that time.
Rescuers from the local government unit used a pay loader to retrieve the bodies.
Tindog’s body was retrieved first. Rescuers discovered Estrera’s body minutes later.
Sotto admitted that the Municipal Government prohibited residents from entering the area.
“Dili na gyud unta na pasudlan diha unya kay gahi man og ulo ningadto man gyud unya ga-uwan-uwan pa,†he said. (They did not heed the ban, and it was raining at that. (FREEMAN)