LIMAY, Bataan- A 19-year-old construction worker was buried alive and died when the elevated slope dike inside the compound of the Petron Bataan Refinery in Limay, Bataan collapsed Saturday afternoon.
“Hindi kosukatakalaingako paanghuhukaysakapatidko,” said buck hoe operator Jessie Sumadsad, 22.
The brother he was referring to was Emil Sumadsad, 19, construction worker of ArchenTechnoligies, Inc. undergoing site development at the PBR compound in barangay Lamao, Limay.
Jessie, also of Archen Technologies, said he was told to go to the site with his buck hoe to dig a worker without knowing that it was his younger brother who was buried in one portion of the dike 12 to 14 meters high.
“Kapatid ko pala natabunan kaya lumundag ako, hindi ko ginamit ang buck hoe at tumulong sa paghukay gamit ko ang mga kamay,” said the distressed older brother.
Jessie said it took them about 30 minutes before unearthing his brother whose body was already “lamog”. He said big particles of soil directly hit and buried his brother who allegedly with two other workers were placing “istaka” below the hole about 1 ½ meters wide.
He said that there are five holes in the dike connected to each other. The other two workers were able to run to other holes for safety.The dike and the holes will be used reportedly in the installation of pipes.
Domingo Andes, Jr., Human Resources manager of Archen, said the company promised full support and will give whatever is due to the family of the victim.
“Sana totohanin nila pangako nila,” Jessie said.
PO2 Rodel Umengan, Limay police investigator, said victim was accidentally buried in a mass of land that eroded from the elevated slope dike.
An attending physician pronounced victim dead on arrival at the Government Arsenal Hospital in Lamao, Limay, police said Investigation is still ongoing, said Chief Insp. CrizaldeConde, Limay police chief.
