ITOGON, Benguet – Three miners died after a landslide buried their makeshift hut in Camp 5, Sitio Acupan, Barangay Virac, this town, on Sunday night, June 22.
Authorities withheld the identities of the victims pending notification of their families.
The landslide, which occurred around 6:29 p.m., was reportedly triggered by persistent rain showers.
A response team from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)–Itogon Fire Station, led by SFO1 Jun D. Mayam, FO3 Billy Jack P. Palaci, FO2 David S. Tambiac Jr., FO1 Ferdinand S. Palbusa Jr., and FO1 Adrian B. Gayman, launched search and retrieval operations shortly after receiving the report.
They were assisted by the Itogon Municipal Police Station, the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), Barangay Virac officials, BPATS, concerned residents, and personnel from Benguet Corp.
Despite the unstable terrain and challenging conditions, the rescue team managed to locate and extract the victims.
They were taken to a hospital where they were declared dead on arrival.
A 16-year-old boy who was also at the site managed to escape after being struck by falling debris. He was able to run to safety.
The BFP warned residents living in high-risk areas to remain vigilant for rockslides and landslides, especially during continuous rains, and immediately report any signs of ground movement to authorities.