Danao City police have started their investigation on the illegal quarry operation in Barangay Guinacot. | Contributed Photo
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Policemen in Danao City have started their investigation to determine who should be held liable for the death of two individuals after a quarry site in Barangay Guinacot caved-in Friday night, July 17.
The incident resulted in the deaths of Phylbryt Tagod Giangan, 22, and his 13-year-old companion.
Police Senior Master Sergeant Reynante Manulat, the chief investigator of Danao City Police Station, said they are yet to determine who authorized the operation of the illegal quarry site in the area.
“Mao pa na amoa balikan aron mahibawan kung na unsa gyud nga wala mabantayan,” said Manulat.
(We are yet to return to the area to determine why residents there were unable to detect the operation [of the illegal quarry site.])
Giangan and his companion were said to be collecting sand which they would later on sell.
Read: Illegal quarry in Danao City: Cave-in kills 2
It took rescuers from the Danao City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) almost seven hours before they were able to retrieve the two bodies that were covered in loose soil at about 4 a.m. on Saturday, July 18.
Rolando Reyes, the CDRRMO head, said that soil was unstable in the area which slowed down their retrieval operations. They had to use a backhoe to remove soil that covered the victims.
Quoting the outcome of their initial investigation, Manulat said that the victims were neighbors in Barangay Guinacot that is located at least five kilometers away from the Danao City Hall.
Manulat said they intend to speak to the families of the two victims as part of their ongoing investigation.
He said that appropriate charges will soon be filed against the person or persons who authorized the operation of the illegal quarry site in Barangay Guinacot.
“Bawal man gyud na unta unya sige naman usab na sila gi buyag,” he said.
(What they are doing is illegal and the police have been constantly reminding city residents against engaging in illegal quarry operations.) / dcb