By LIEZLE BASA IÑIGO
Five men allegedly engaged in illegal mining were found dead inside a tunnel at FCF Compound in Barangay Runruno, Quezon, Nueva Vizcaya on Tuesday, June 24.
Police identified the victims as Daniel Segundo Paggana, 47; Lipihon Ayudan, 56; Florencio Indopia, 63, Alfred Bilibli, and Joval Bantiyan.
Village captain John Babliing of Barangay Runruno reported to the Quezon Police Station the discovery of the cadavers in the area.
Responding to the scene were personnel from the Quezon Police, the 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company (3rd Platoon), the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) of Quezon.
Initial investigation showed that around 1:00 a.m. on June 24, fellow miner Russel Tumapang, 29, also of Brgy. Runruno, entered the tunnel and found all the victims lifeless.
Authorities said the victims were reportedly engaged in illegal mining activity within the compound and had entered a tunnel approximately 300 meters deep.
They are believed to have died due to suffocation caused by a lack of oxygen. (with a report from Freddie Lazaro)
