By Jaime Laude (The Philippine Star), March 2, 2016
MANILA, Philippines – Search and rescue operations are ongoing for three small-scale miners who remained missing yesterday after a flood hit a mining tunnel in Monkayo, Compostela Valley on Saturday.
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said Bryan Monsoon, Roel Dacaldal and Richard Monsoon were believed trapped in the so-called Australia tunnel on Mt. Diwalwal.
Rescuers have lowered tubes to pump water from the mine, said Senior Superintendent Albert Ferro, Compostela Valley police director.
Reymart Pegaret, Gilbert Bayot and Renate Gemino died in the incident. Their bodies were retrieved on Monday.
Ernesto Loquina, a member of the rescue team, drowned while trying to save the victims.
Those rescued were identified as Aljun Dumalaga, Oliver Uganap, Carlito Morado, Alberto Agyang, Angelito Tonio and Pepe Mendoza.
In a report to the OCD, the Monkayo disaster office said heavy rain had inundated the area in the past 10 days. – With Edith Regalado
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