Falling tree pins to death 2 forest guards; 1 hurt

ZAMBOANGA CITY  – Two forest guards were pinned to death when a tree uprooted by strong winds spawned by the tail-end of tropical Storm ‘Butchoy’ fell on their watch post in the jungle of Siocon, Zamboanga  del Norte over the weekend, police said yesterday.

Another victim was seriously injured during the incident that occurred in remote Barangay Lunday on Friday noon.

The police said the victims were taking shelter from their guardhouse, as strong winds coupled with torrential rains pummeled the province, when an uprooted lawaan tree with a trunk measuring 60 centimeters in diameter smashed their guardhouse and pinned them to death.

Superintendent Jose Bayani Gucela, spokesman of Western Mindanao Police Office identified the victims as Geronimo Cabayacruz, 58, married, of Barangay Manicahan, Zamboanga City and Juan Cagot, 30, single, of Barangay Candis, Siocon. Seriously injured was named Amer Bunso.

The fatalities and the lone survivor sustained severe bone fractures.  – Roel Pareño