3 treasure hunters buried alive in Caba, La Union

By Erwin Beleo

CAMP DIEGO SILANG, La Union – Three men–a father, his son and a companion–who were conducting a hunt for buried treasure were buried alive when the soil of the hole they were digging in Sitio Bucutan, Barangay San Fermin, Caba La Union collapsed at around 11:00 a.m. Tuesday.

Police identified the victims as Bonifacio Pepe Rimorin, 54, his son Jonathan, 30, a former employee of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, and their companion, Wilfredo Gatchalian Jr, 59, all residents of Barangay Gana, Caba, La Union.

Police said that the victims were all inside the hole, which was about 10-15 feet deep, when the soil suddenly collapsed.

Rescuers from the provincial rescue unit responded and provided assistance for search and retrieval operation to the trapped treasure hunters.

After the retrieval of the bodies, they were turned-over to Caba Medical Center for proper disposition