5 construction workers killed

FIVE construction workers who were digging a hole were killed after the soil collapsed on Tuesday afternoon in Teakwood Hills, Barangay Balubal, Cagayan de Oro City.

The victims -- Bonifacio Abalo, 58, married, and a resident of Barangay Agusan; Armand Cabasan, 18, single, from Purok-2, Barangay Balubal; Phillip Goyo, 18, single; Danny Luay, 18, single, and a resident of Barangay Agusan; and Eladeo Tadle, 20, single from Malitbog, Bukidnon – were working for Design Setter Construction Inc. under Engr. Elpedio Viola. They were digging a hole supposedly for a building’s foundation when the soil collapsed after about eight to 10 feet deep.

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Other workers at the site reportedly heard of the victims’ cry for help and immediately rushed to the scene. They managed to dig out the victims bodies using a backhoe.

Tadle was reportedly still breathing when rushed to the Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC) but expired after an hour.

The other victims were brought to the nearby Puerto Community Hospital but were declared dead on arrival by attending doctors.

Senior Police Officer 3 Bermel Alina of Police Station 6 in Barangay Puerto said they are looking at a possible negligence on the part of the engineer or contractor though he said they are still investigating the case.

Alina said the construction engineer failed to show up in the area after the incident.

The victims’ bodies were brought to the Divine Shepherd Funeral Homes. (Sun.Star Super Balita)