By Raymund Catindig (The Philippine Star), Nov 29, 2017
TUGUEGARAO, Philippines — A backhoe operator was buried alive in a landslide that occurred in Ilagan City, Isabela on Monday.
Sany Saniel of the CM Pancho Construction was working in a government road project near Mt. Cannagman when a pile of rocks and mud rolled down shortly before noon.
The backhoe being driven by Saniel rolled into a ravine and was buried under the rubble, according to city police chief Superintendent Ariel Quilang.
Saniel’s body was retrieved by his co-workers at around 3:30 p.m.
Police said continuous heavy downpour in the past few days could have loosened the soil around the mountain.