A CONSTRUCTION worker died while three others were injured when a portion of a hill collapsed in Barangay Caticlan, Malay, Aklan recently.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Don Dicksie De Dios, acting chief of the Malay police, said the workers were at the side of the road constructing a canal system when the trimmed side of a hill collapsed.

The fatality was identified as Modesto Appelido, a native of Bingawan Iloilo.

Injured were Darius Castillo, 48; Jade Daryl Castillo, 22; and Nino Jay Castillo, 22.

"Based on our initial investigation, the side of the hill may have collapsed due to the recent series of rains. I told the police investigator in charge to double check if there were signs of foul play or possibly neglect of protocols in the construction," De Dios said.

Operatives from the Malay Disaster Risks Reduction Management Office, Bureau of Fire Protection, Barangay Council and residents in the area helped retrieve the victims body in the landslide area.

The victims were said to be constructing a canal as part of the road widening project at the area.

The Caticlan road is considered a tourism highway as Caticlan is a major entry and exit point of Boracay Island, a premier tourism destination. (SunStar Philippines)