Safety issue halts retrieval of fallen ‘treasure hunter’
By Thea Alberto
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 18:42:00 08/06/2008
MANILA, Philippines -- Retrieval operations for an alleged treasure hunter who fell into a 125-foot deep shaft in Bulacan province have been stopped because the safety of rescuers had been placed at risk, the provincial police director said.
Senior Superintendent Allen Bantolo, in a phone interview, said they had to stop the retrieval operations for the victim, identified as Arnel David, because, "we already asked for advanced equipment [from] the SBMA [Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority] and experts but it was already dangerous even at 70 feet."
Bantolo said the rescuers noticed crumbling inside the shaft.
David, 41, fell into the hole inside a private compound in Barangay (village) Pala-Pala, San Ildefonso town that Bantolo said they believe was dug to hunt for treasure.
"We don't see any foul play," said Bantolo.
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