2 miners die of gas poison inside tunnel

ITOGON, Benguet – Two small scale miners died here last week due to gas poisoning inside a tunnel they were digging for ore.

Police identified the victims as Januario Lupa, 23, single and Silvano Ondog, 29, single and both natives of Manabo, Sumadel, Tinglayan, Kalinga.

Both were residents of Carpentry Area, Balatoc, Virac.

Investigation disclosed that on Jan. 28 at about 5 p.m. the victims entered a tunnel at Acupan, Virac.

When they failed to return home the next day, a search was made by miners who discovered their bodies.

Codies of the victims were retrieved by personnel of Safety Department of Benguet Gold Operation and later brought to Baguio Memorial Chapels in Baguio City.

According to James Floresca, mine contractor of 4J Contract, the victims were not his personnel.

He said the victims illegally entered the tunnel not knowing that the area was emitting poisonous gas.

A check on the miners shifting schedules dated Jan. 28 signed by the contractor disclosed the victims were not listed and were considered intruders.

Guards manning the gate to the tunnel issues passes to all miners entering Level 1500.