12 Baguio small-scale miners confirmed dead; two still missing

BAGUIO CITY: The number of small-scale miners who died due to mountain slides in Barangay Kias at the height of Typhoon Kiko rose to 12 while two more private miners remain to be the subject of search and retrieval operations.

The 12 fatalities were named as Pollen Buhong, Eddie Dulawan, Philip Bognadon, Bryan Bay-ong, Carry Chaluyen, Eusebio Colingan, Roger Dulnuan, Jobie Pascua, Dexter Codiamat, Gilbert Nardo, Garciano Langtiwan and Joel Caligtan.

The fatalities were either retrieved by rescuers from torrents of mud and rocks or along the Bued River.

The two other missing private miners were identified as Cipriano Millet and John Guinoban.

As rescuers and volunteers race against time in finding the two more missing persons, Chief Supt. Orlando Pestano, Cordillera police director and chairman of the Cordillera Disaster and Coordinating Council (CDCC) thanks the spirit of volunteerism displayed by people from all walks of life.

Pestano said the number of rescuers and volunteers involved in the search and rescue operation since August 7 range from 300 to 500 persons daily. He said that the overwhelming support of volunteers has made the search and rescue and retrieval operation more effective despite the inclement weather over the weekend.

Those who survived after being buried alive when a mountain slide in Mount Emerald hit their working area were identified as Dominic Dulawan, Dennis Gumatin, Nestor Puguon, Edgar Daulayan, Benjamin Daulayan, Steve Chaluyen, Dennis Dulnuan and Napoleon Dinmangna. –Harley F. Palangchao, Manila Times