ITOGON, Benguet – Three miners were rescued from a tunnel that collapsed in Sitio Pukis, Barangay Ampucao here Friday, July 22.
The Itogon Municipal Police Station identified the survivors as Benedict Palen Abuan, 44, married, private miner; Frederick Palen Abuan, 35, also a private miner, and a minor, all residents of Barangay Ampucao.
Police said they received a call that three miners were trapped when the tunnel they were digging caved in at around 4:30 p.m. Friday due to heavy rains.
Police immediately conducted a rescue operation with community volunteers and the Philex Mines rescue team. The three miners were freed unharmed at 12:50 p.m. Saturday, July 22.
The municipal government reminded miners to be careful and stop digging when it rains as it could cause soil erosion and bury them alive.