2 miners die from suffocation

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - Two coal miners were recovered dead Friday after they were allegedly suffocated inside a mining pit in a village of Diplahan town, Zamboanga Sibugay province, police said. 

The victims were identified as Rene Talova, 35, married; and Mark Jay Pantaleon, 19, both miners of Artemio Pantaleon and Company coal mine based in sitio Tibo, Diplahan town. 

Senior Inspector Joseph Ortega, spokesman of Police Regional Office 9, said police investigation disclosed that the two miners were trapped about 10 a.m. Friday inside the mine pit where they succumbed from methane gas suffocation.

The police said the personnel of the Philippine National Oil Company immediately conducted rescue operation and recovered the victims who were already dead about 2:45 p.m. later on the same day.

The remains of the victims were brought to the local funeral homes.

Local police conducted further investigation to determine whether there was foul play on the death of the two. miners.