Search, rescue still suspended for Antique miners

ILOILO CITY -- The Search and Rescue (SAR) operations for the five missing Semirara Coal Mining Corporation (SCMC) workers are still suspended with the continuous rainfall experienced Monday morning.

Office of Civil Defense Regional Director Rosario T. Cabrera, who is also the chair of the Western Visayas Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC), said the SAR operations remained suspended Monday because of the danger posed also on those involved in the retrieval operations.

"There has been continuous rainfall since this morning in Semirara and it is dangerous to resume the operations," Cabrera said.

The suspension of the retrieval operations started Feb. 16, according to Caluya vice mayor Diosdado Egina.

Cabrera said that based on their report, the workers were then working 270 feet deep below sea level of the island when a portion of the wall of Panian open pit collapsed Wednesday last week.

"There have been differing reports as to the depth," she added.

She also said the Philippine Army's 301st Infantry Brigade based in Dingle, Iloilo has already sent five K9 dogs with seven personnel to help in the SAR operations.

She said the dogs were sent last Saturday to Semirara island.

Antique Provincial DRRMC chief Broderick Train, who's on the site, Sunday said they have already established an incident command system in Caluya.

Other government agencies such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and its local counterpart in the province are also there to provide assistance and debriefing to families of the victims. (PNA)