Tragedy Strikes in Malalag as Illegal Digging Operation Turns Deadly
The municipal government of Malalag in Davao del Sur has launched a comprehensive investigation following the deaths of three workers in a catastrophic excavation collapse during an alleged illegal treasure-hunting operation.
The incident occurred on Sunday afternoon, November 10, 2025, in Purok 3, Barangay Ibo, when the soil inside a deep pit suddenly gave way, burying the workers alive beneath tons of earth.
Timeline of the Tragic Incident
According to initial police reports, the ill-fated digging operation began at approximately 8 a.m. on that fateful Sunday. The group was reportedly searching for buried treasure under the supervision of two individuals: a 50-year-old contractor known only as alias Jerson and a 67-year-old landowner identified as alias John.
The situation turned deadly at around 1 p.m. when the unstable walls of the excavation pit collapsed without warning. The sudden soil cave-in trapped all three workers inside the deep hole, leaving them with little chance of escape.
Emergency responders from multiple agencies immediately rushed to the scene, including personnel from the Malalag Municipal Police Station, the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, and local barangay officials. Retrieval operations continued into the evening as rescuers worked desperately to reach the buried victims.
Victims Identified as Investigation Intensifies
The three workers who lost their lives in the tragic collapse have been identified as:
- Glenn Eral Sasuman of Lapu-Lapu Extension, Digos City
- Nerio Hesula Otida of Ruparan, Digos City
- Simaco Sabac Quisaot, 63 of Upper Limonzo, Maria Mendez, Padada, Davao del Sur
All three men were confirmed to be part of the excavation team working at the site. Police have detained both the landowner and the contractor while investigating potential violations, including unauthorized excavation and illegal treasure-hunting activities.
Authorities Issue Strong Safety Warnings
Local authorities emphasized that all excavation projects must strictly follow established safety and legal protocols. Malalag Police chief Maj. Ambrocio A. Maceda revealed that he has repeatedly reminded residents about the dangers of unregulated digging, particularly at sites rumored to contain hidden treasure.
"Digging operations, especially those connected to treasure rumors, require proper permits, technical assessments, and safety clearances from relevant government agencies," Maceda stressed.
The police chief noted that illegal excavations often bypass standard safety practices, exposing workers to severe risks including soil collapse, suffocation, and other life-threatening hazards. He described the recent incident as a stark warning to the public about the importance of adhering to environmental and excavation regulations.
The municipal government has committed to working closely with police and barangay officials to identify liabilities and strengthen enforcement of excavation guidelines to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
