ANDA, BOHOL, Philippines – Two truck helpers died over the weekend when part of an old limestone quarry caved in and fell on them while they were working at the site in Barangay Candabong of this town, a hundred kilometers from Tagbilaran City.
The Freeman got a confirmation of the report only recently from couple Alfredo and Tessie Olaer, the grandparents of one of the victims.
The victims, identified as Eric Bernil, 21, and Romeo Galos, 14, were buried alive by a huge portion of limestone, about 60 to 80 feet above them.
The Olaers told The Freeman, in an exclusive interview, that the two were extracting limestone from the abandoned quarry site along with another truck helper who however survived after being treated at the hospital.
The town police said that the truck owner, identified as James Estapia, of Candijay town, already took care of the expenses for the funeral and burial of the victims two days ago.
Estapia’s cargo truck, with license plate number GRV 941, was also impounded by the police at the municipal hall. The police blotter however did not indicate if Estapia was a holder of a quarrying permit or the owner of the old quarry site.
A similar tragedy occurred weeks ago in Maribojoc town where another limestone quarry disintegrated and buried an old bunker house below, killing two sleeping children inside.
Their parents however survived. The father worked as hollow block-maker within the quarry area, and the children were taken by the mother there to visit him that day. - THE FREEMAN