BEHIND THE SCENES

Four kin lose arms, legs to electrocution
Alfred P. Dizon

BAGUIO CITY -- Fifty-year-old John Idio, a handicraft furniture helper was looking towards a bright future for his family with his son Joey’s graduation from college, when tragedy struck.

One of Idio’s arm and legs were cut after he was electrocuted along with his son Joey, 24, and neighbors Marlon Sanchez, 22 and Charlie Galerio, 32.

The four were hoisting a water pipe around 20 feet up the air when the iron pole was suddenly pulled by strong current from a high tension wire passing through their frail bodies and exiting through their limbs.

They were digging a deep well for water that fateful day at their residence in Purok 1, Camp 1, Rosario, La Union on Sept. 6 around 10 a.m.

The victims are now confined at the Baguio General Hospital. They were rushed by relatives and neighbors in borrowed vehicles since caretakers of the local ambulance reportedly said they couldn’t use the vehicle as it was in bad condition.
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At the BGH, John’s left arm and leg were amputated. Joey and Sanchez each lost a leg cut below the knee.

Both of Galerio’s legs are in danger of being amputated. He was in critical condition at press time and badly needed Type A blood.

Annie Tamayo, Baguio Red Cross chief, when contacted gladly gave the needed blood but which she said, should be replaced as soon as possible since other patients may need it.

Before the accident, John’s determination to send Joey to college was fulfilled. The son graduated from the University of Baguio with a degree in hotel, restaurant management last semester.
Meanwhile, Sanchez graduated at the Lyceum Northern Luzon in Urdaneta City in Pangasinan with a Commerce degree. Galerio was a pandesal vendor diligently scouring the streets of Urdaneta for buyers particularly during the wee hours of the morning.

Except for John, all three were single. Once they would be discharged, crutches and if possible, prosthetics would be needed.
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Their faces are putting a brave front, but their demeanor betrays their uncertainty. At this time, their immediate problem is where to get the money to pay their hospital bills and daily expenses which are growing by the day.

Sannie Fianza, a neighbor said their relatives contacted the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes office in Urdaneta but were told they had to give the medical abstract of the four victims so these could be studied if they really needed money.

The BGH hasn’t yet released the abstract as of press time. Joey’s sister Jay Ann said only Mayor Flores Bellarmin of Rosario gave financial help to the victims with a thousand pesos each.
They have reportedly asked some La Union Electric Co. officials for help in defraying their expenses (since the company owned the electric wires) but were told this would still have to be subjected to a meeting.

Barangay 1 residents have reportedly been urging LUELCO officials to relocate the wires as these posed danger to their lives but the power firm never did anything about the matter.
Relatives said some Baguio City government officials pledged to write LUELCO to help the victims but no help had been coming.
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By the time this article hits the newsstands, more of their arms and legs could have been amputated as according to doctors, these were decaying.

Anybody who would like to help the victims could contact them or their relatives directly at the BGH. Good Samaritans may also contact Gian Idio through her cell phone: 09202476999.

As usual, concerned local musicians, the media and lawyers are planning to hold a concert to raise funds for the victims.