Fernando Tibuc, the barangay captain of Villa, tragically died from suffocation while engaged in excavation work in Sitio Paribalat, Barangay Dungeg, Santa Teresita, Cagayan on Friday, October 23.
Incident Details and Response
According to a police report, Tibuc was with his father, Dionisio, and another resident, William Pelaez, when they lost consciousness while digging a deep hole.
Emergency services were alerted around 4 p.m. by Sangguniang Bayan member Orlando Bareng Jr., prompting Santa Teresita Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (MDRRM) officer Emerson Aleste to verify the situation.
An incident management team, including personnel from the Santa Teresita Police Station and Bureau of Fire Protection, was quickly dispatched to the scene.
Rescue operations in such incidents require specialized equipment and coordination due to the danger posed to both victims and responders.
Local Disaster Response Team
Rescuers first pulled Dionisio Tibuc from the pit. He was taken to Alfonso Ponce Enrile Memorial District Hospital, regained consciousness, and was later transferred for further treatment.
Fernando Tibuc was recovered around 8 p.m. and despite attempts at resuscitation, he was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital.
Pelaez, the third individual in the excavation, was rescued unharmed.
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the excavation. Preliminary reports indicate that no landslide or soil collapse occurred, suggesting suffocation was the cause of death.
This incident highlights the inherent risks of deep excavation work, especially in rural areas where limited ventilation can lead to hazardous conditions.