3 treasure hunters trapped in Negros Occidental tunnel

MANILA, Philippines — Search and rescue operations for three treasure hunters, who were trapped in a tunnel 50 feet deep in Purok 4, Barangay Boloc-boloc, Sibulan, Negros Occidental on Wednesday, are underway.

The victims were identified as Feliciano Encilay Sr., 62, an employee of the provincial veterinary office; Algie Javier, 29, and Bobby Baldado.

Mauro Alforque, 44, managed to escape when the tunnel collapsed.

The city government of Dumaguete mobilized its disaster risk reduction office and sent a loader, two backhoes and a dump truck at the site to help in the rescue operations.

Initial investigation showed that the diggings, which started at a private property, covered the other side of the barangay road.

Engineers Edward Malahay and Ramsey Brillante of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau said the excavation has no permit from the National Museum of the Philippines and other concerned government agencies. – The Freeman