4 workers drown in Cubao mall septic tank

MANILA, Philippines—Four workers were killed after they got trapped inside a septic tank they were repairing at a mall in Cubao, Quezon City before dawn Thursday, police said.

Police Officer 3 Elmer Perez of Quezon City Police District identified the victims as Marvin Aleman and Romy, Rodel,  Romel, all surnamed Suarez.

They were said to be workers of RCBC Plumbing, owned by one Helen Caragan.

He said the victims were called to fix Ali Mall’s septic tank and was nearly done around 3:30 a.m. when, for a still unknown reason, water rose again, drowning Aleman.

Romy, Rodel and Romel all went down the tank to rescue Aleman, but the three were also trapped inside.

Radio reports said the victims were taken out of the tank filled with roughly 10 feet-high waters around 6 a.m., already dead.

Perez said further investigation was underway.