2 more Semirara coal mine mishap victims identified

Semirara Mining site (Photo: radwin.com)

SAN JOSE, ANTIQUE – The two other bodies were recovered Friday in the landslide that happened at Panian Pit of Semirara Mining and Power Corporation have been identified by their relatives.

They are Dexter Daopan and Jack Mandrique, both heavy equipment operators.

Presently the five casualties are Ricaredo Panes, Arnold Omac, Alexander Nodo, Daopan and Mandrique. Still missing are Danilo Bayhon, Generoso Talaro, Ian Catulay and Noel Penola.

Rescuers were able to rescue Friday afternoon five miners identified as Brendo Tuarez, Nelson Villamor Sr., Patrick Morgado, Renan Entible and Ricardo Cabrera. They are presently confined at the company owned SMPC Infirmary Hospital in the island.

Gov. Rhodora Cadiao has sent Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (PDRRM) Officer Broderick Train and Antique Police Provincial Office Director Senior Superintendent Edgardo Ordaniel to the island this morning to conduct an inspection and to report to her their observation on the rescue and retrieval operations that is ongoing in the mine site.

“There may still be other workers there in the mine site aside from those reported missing by the mining company. We have to rescue them as they may still be alive or retrieve their bodies just in case,” Cadiao said.

On the other hand, Caluya Mayor Genevive Lim-Reyes activated the town’s Incident Command System to coordinate with the rescue and retrieval operations.

Reyes also extended all necessary support to the families of the casualties in the landslide and has ordered the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office to attend to the needs as well as conduct a debriefing to the immediate members of the families of the victims.

Meanwhile, mining operations were suspended to give way to the rescue and retrieval operations.

Cadiao is set to convene the PDRRMC tomorrow, Sunday at 2 pm. at the Sumakwel Hall to discuss the reports of Ordaniel and Train with regards their inspection of the mine site.