2 of 5 ‘dead’ Vizcaya miners rescued

BAGUIO CITY,  Philippines —  Two of the five miners who were reported to have been found dead in a mining tunnel in Quezon, Nueva Vizcaya are alive, authorities said yesterday.

Alfred Bilibli was taken out of the tunnel in Barangay Runruno at past 2 p.m. on Tuesday, while his companion, Joval Bantiyan, was rescued at past 7 p.m.

As of yesterday afternoon, authorities have yet to find the other miners – Lipihon Ayudan, Florencio Indopia and Daniel Segundo –  who were believed to have crept into a deeper portion of the tunnel.

Police initially presumed that all five miners were dead based on information provided by village officials.

Initial investigation showed that a resident, identified as Russel Tumapang, informed village officials that he went into the tunnel at around 1 a.m. and found the miners dead.

Relatives, residents and rescue personnel are hoping the three miners are still alive.