Las Piñas excavation site collapses; 2 dead

MANILA, Philippines — Two workers of Maynilad were killed after being trapped in an 18-meter-deep excavation site, which collapsed in Las Piñas on Sunday.

The bodies of construction workers Justine and Ricky, whose surnames were withheld by police, were retrieved at 6:44 a.m. yesterday, nearly 16 hours after the incident occurred.

According to a police report, five workers were conducting drilling at 2:52 p.m. in Barangay Pamplona Dos when the concrete shaft of the excavation site collapsed.

Jonalyn, who introduced herself as the partner of Ricky, said she had been asking the latter to stop working as a jackhammer operator.

“He showed me a video where I said, ‘That’s dangerous because you don’t have safety equipment,’” Jonalyn told reporters. “There wasn’t even a rope that could be used to pull them up.”

Two workers were able to get out of the excavation site. Another was taken to the Christ the King Hospital for treatment of injuries.

Operation at the construction site was halted following the incident.

In a statement, Maynilad said the project is a wastewater pumping facility that forms part of the Las Piñas Conveyance System Package 2.

“Maynilad is fully cooperating with the authorities and is conducting a review with the contractor to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident,” the west zone water concessionaire said.

Lt. Col. Teoson Rosarito, assistant chief of police for operations in Las Piñas, said those responsible for the deaths of the workers would be held liable.

The Department of Public Works and Highways disowned the road excavation project. — Rainier Allan Ronda