Fire investigator Eduardo Resaldo examines the electric water pump found in the pit where three men died. Was the excavation for a water well or a search for buried treasure as some neighbors claim? (CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA)
Probers are still looking for evidence that may link treasure hunting to last Friday’s accident in an excavation that claimed four lives in sitio Pasil, barangay Maslog in Danao City.
PO3 Marlon Remollo, investigator of the Danao City Police Office said they are encouraging witnesses to come forward but so far no official complaints have been filed.
The families of three of the fatalities are sticking to the story that the 30-foot-deep hole where the men died was intended for a water well.
Police are investigating three persons found staying in the house of Ernesto Ogabao, one of the fatalities.
Maslog barangay captain Isidro Toledo said three, who were seen frequenting the excavation, could be the financiers.
The Dept. of Energy in region 7 yesterday sent personnel to check if the digging was related to coal mining but they found no traces of coal, said Eduardo Amante, chief science research specialist.
Responders were able to recover water pumps, chlorine and cement from the hole.
Aside from Ogabao, the other fatalities were his relatives Amick Bunconseho and Jess Christian Miguel, and a neighbor, 19-year-old Junnel Mayol. Mayol was not involved in the digging but died while trying to rescue the three from the deep pit when it was flooded.
Ogabao’s widow dismissed talk about hunting for buried treasure, saying the hole was being dug for a water well.
The barangay chief dismissed it, saying the source of water in sitio Pasil is walking distance from their home.
Besides, the hole which is 2.5 square meters wide and 20-30 meters deep is too big for a water well, Toledo said.
Last night, the barangay council held an emergency session to discuss the need to require a permit for excavations in the barangay.
The Danao city council is also set to tackle the accident today.
Related Stories: