59-yr.-old foreman from Benguet, 1 other buried alive in Ilocos Sur landslide

Benguet, Philippines – A tragic landslide during road work in Mt. Matinglin, Barangay Danac, Sugpon, Ilocos Sur, claimed the lives of two individuals on Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024.

According to PCapt. Sonny Cabbat, Officer-in-Charge of Sugpon Municipal Police Station, the victims were buried alive when the land unexpectedly collapsed during their work.

The Sugpon police and Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) promptly responded, recovering the victims' remains within a few hours.

The casualties were identified as Ricardo Bayeng, 59, a sub-contractor and foreman from Bongis, Ambongdolan, Tublay, Benguet, and Joseph Ramirez, 23, a backhoe operator from Barangay Cabaroan, San Emilio, Ilocos Sur.

The weather was reported to be clear at the time of the incident.

The investigation is in progress to shed light on the circumstances surrounding this devastating landslide.