Lightning kills two farmers in Apayao

BAGUIO CITY: Two young farmers died and six others were hurt when a lightning struck them while planting rice in Purok San Bernabe, Barangay Malayugan in Flora, Apayao province.

Reports reaching the Cor-dillera Regional Disaster Coor-dinating Council (CRDCC) revealed that all eight farmers took advantage of the rainy weather to plant rice after months of a dry spell when they were hit by lightning.

Those who died on the spot were identified as Melvin Manuel Marcos, 16, and Charlon Carlos, 24. Their bodies were brought home by their relatives.

The others hurt were named Edmar Escobar Marcos, 21; Richard Daquiao Lara, 19; Felymor Agcaoile Bengayen, 24; Alex Dumlao Martin 35; Arnel Agcaoile Bengayen, 14; and Roldan Agcaoile Bengayen, 16.

The survivors were brought to a hospital in Flora town for treatment.

The council also reported that a man named Roger Gelacio, also a resident of Barangay Malayugan, was found unconscious inside their house after being elec-trically grounded caused by the lightning.

Gelacio was rushed to Lasam District Hospital in Lasam, Cagayan province but his con-dition was not immediately known as of press time.

CRDCC has urged the public anew to take pre-cautionary measures as the country is bracing for the typhoon season.

More than a year ago, two policemen were killed while six others, including a police officer, were reportedly hurt after they were struck by lightning while conducting patrol operation on foot in Malibcong, Abra province. –Harley F. Palangchao, Manila Times