2nd body found in tunnel collapse

DUMAGUETE CITY—Rescuers on Friday recovered the body of one of the treasure hunters who were buried alive in a tunnel 15 meters deep at the village of Boloc-Boloc in Sibulan town, Negros Oriental, on Wednesday.

The remains were believed to be that of Bobby Baldado, a native of Valencia town. Baldado’s was the second body retrieved by rescuers.

On Thursday afternoon, rescuers also recovered the body of another treasure hunter identified as Algie Javier.

Adrian Sedillo, executive officer of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council of Negros Oriental, said workers continued to search for Feliciano Encilay.

The three treasure hunters had entered the underground tunnel to search for the fabled Yamashita treasure when the tunnel suddenly collapsed on Wednesday.

Survivor

A fourth treasure hunter, Mauro Alforque, survived to report what happened.

Feliciano Encilay Jr., son of Encilay, said relatives believed his father was still alive because he was a strong person.

Luxme Encilay said the family had received text messages from a seer in Pagadian City who said their father and his companions were alive.

“There are three persons and one of them is older,” read the text message cited by Luxme.

“They are alive but the two others are getting weak,” the message continued.

The treasure hunters started digging on Dec. 30 and continued work until Wednesday, Jan. 2.

“They timed it for the holidays because my father had to report for work,” Feliciano Jr. said.

Dumaguete City Mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo visited the area on Wednesday night and dispatched two backhoes to help in the operations.

Rescuers from Sibulan, as well as from the Bureau of Fire Protection and the Philippine National Police, had joined the operation.