Construction helper gets zapped, sustains third degree burns

CEBU, Philippines – A construction helper suffered from third degree burns after he got electrocuted while working at a building in Banawa, barangay Guadalupe, this city past 10 a.m. yesterday.

The victim was identified as Arnel Guiligan, 23, of barangay Tampa-an, Aloguinsan town, and a stay-in construction helper of KC Building located in the said place.

SPO1 Henry Orbiso of the Cebu City Police Office-Homicide Section said that Guiligan was along with his uncle, Teodisio Guiligan, 51, and another helper, Ricardo Alesna, doing some repair or renovation works at the rooftop of the four-storey building when the incident happened.

SPO1 Orbiso said that Alesna and Arnel were taking off the plywood platform, which served as their protection from falling onto the pavement, when Alesna got hold of a steel wire.

While Alesna was not injured, Arnel who was standing behind him, sustained severe burns on his back.

“Nanangtang 'to sila ug damba unya nakakupot ni si Alesna og alambre. Si Guiligan [Arnel] nga diha sa iyang likod maoy nagrabehan kay ang kusog nga boltahe sa kuryente nga naglatay sa alambre, tali sa mainline sa VECO, si Guiligan man ang nakagunit,” Orbiso explained.

Orbiso said that the mainline of the Visayan Electric Company is located around two meters away from the KC Building.

The victim was rushed to the Chong Hua Hospital where it was found out that he sustained third degree burns. As of yesterday, he was already declared safe from harm, and that the bills were already shouldered by the owner of the said commercial building where they are employed. – Niña G. Sumacot/MEEV (THE FREEMAN)