Human body part recovered from Semirara mine pit

MANILA -- A human body part was recovered from the mining pit in Caluya, Antique, that trapped 13 people after collapsing last week, police said Monday.

Chief Superintendent Agrimero Cruz Jr., Western Visayas police regional director, said a left human arm believed to be from one of the miners trapped in the landslide was recovered around 9:30 a.m. Monday after floating on waters at the Panian mine pit.

The body part was brought to the Semirara Infirmary, added Cruz.

Cruz earlier said the operations for the buried miners are being hampered due to two landslides and rainy weather.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said five people were killed due to the landslide incident that occurred on February 13.

Three have been rescued while five others remain missing: Leovigildo Porras, 50; Jan Riel Planca, 28; Randy Tamparong, 30; Richard Padernilla, 26; and Junjie Gomez, 19.

Meanwhile, the Semirara Mining Corporation said in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange on Monday that it is currently reviewing its mine plan with the assistance of a third party consultant to prevent incident's similar to last week's mishap.

"Further, the company has guaranteed financial, employment, scholarship and livelihood assistance to the families of those (victims) involved," it also said.

The company added that mining operations at the site also remain suspended. (Emmanuel Louis Bacani/Sunnex)