Man in Pinukpuk, Kalinga dies after tree falls on him during Typhoon Florita

Pinukpuk, Kalinga – A 56-year-old farmer was found lifeless beside a creek Tuesday, August 23, in Pinukpuk, Kalinga after a tree fell on him while on his way home at the height of Typhoon Florita.

Residents were called to the scene after getting information from eyewitnesses through a hand-held radio that a tree fell on the said man.

The victim was identified by Pinukpuk police as Francis Bitanga, married, and a resident of Sitio Pisot, Wagud, Pinukpuk.

The victim, according to his wife, Margarita Bitanga, went to Sitio Pon-ad Annawa on the afternoon of Monday to visit his ‘kaingin’ - a farm made thru slash and burn method of clearing land.

The victim, later on, decided to stay there and spend the night at his relative’s hut.

As narrated by his relative, Bitanga after sipping a cup of coffee, left the hut at 6 AM despite the heavy rains and strong winds brought by Typhoon Florita.

At 10 AM, said relative was called by the victim’s wife asking the whereabouts of Bitanga.

After informing the wife that Bitanga left his hut early and having known that he did not arrive yet, the relative followed the trail Bitanga trekked.

He then found the latter’s dead body at the edge of a creek struck by a deteriorating ilang-ilang tree or locally known as “allangigan” tree.

The eyewitness notified other relatives regarding the incident and ferried the victim’s body to their residence.

Police were informed later at 3 PM on the same date regarding the incident and proceeded to the area for investigation.

The victim’s body was likewise examined by an attending physician who disclosed that Bitanga’s cause of death was due to skull fracture, multiple rib fracture, and laceration.

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