ITOGON, Benguet — Two miners died of alleged gas poisoning inside a private tunnel in Camp 1000, Sitio Acupan, Barangay Virac, this town.
The Itogon Municipal Police Station identified the victims as Ashford Jade Gayong Balic-o, 18, and Benjie Gulod Ayang-ang, 33.
Residents reported foul odor from inside the tunnel to the police on Tuesday, Dec. 30.
Lawmen searched the tunnel and found the victims’ decomposed bodies. Police believe that the victims died of gas poisoning.
Balic-o's mother said her son and Ayang-ang left on Dec. 26 to work in a mine in Sitio Acupan.
The victims failed to return after four days until their bodies were discovered.