Boulders fall on miners; 2 killed, another hurt in blast

TUBA, Benguet – Two miners were killed while one survived here around 3 a.m. June 6 when boulders fell and pinned them to death.

This, even as another private miner identified as Basaij Macayba, 52, of Mt. Province was seriously injured after a detonating cord blasted a tunnel at Campo Singko, Acupan, Virac, Itogon, also in Benguet on June 8 at about 11:15 a.m.

Residents said the Philex miners were preparing for blasting activities at the access bypass north underground tunnel after checking hanging boulders when these suddenly dropped and hit them.

The victims, all residents here were identified as Conrado R. Tullao, 51, married, mine operations development supervisor, native of Palguyod, Pozorrubio, Pangasinan; Mardy D. Andiso, 31, married of Bas-il, Cambaly, Bagulin, La Union and Jonardo Ringor, 29, married, native and resident of Upper Camp Philex Mines.

The victims were rushed at Sto Nino Hospital, Philex Mines wherein Andiso was pronounced dead on arrival by the attending physician while the two others were brought to St. Louis Hospital in Baguio City but Ringor died along the way while Tullao was admitted at said hospital where he is now recovering.

Andiso’s body was brought to Proper Main Camp, Philex Mines, while that of Ringor was brought to La Paz Funeral Homes, Baguio City.

In the Acupan blast, police investigation revealed Macayba was inside a mine tunnel after being designated as blaster to light a detonating cord, while his three co-miners waited outside for him to come out before the blast.

However, they heard a loud blast before the victim came out from the portal.

One of the miners identified as Arsenio Agabas entered the tunnel to verify the situation and found the victim seriously injured.

They immediately rushed the victim to the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center for medical treatment.