A government bureau will investigate if Semirara Mining Corp.’s proximity to the sea caused the landslide in an open pit mine that killed five, left five missing and three wounded.

“Sa pagpunta po diyan ng EMB (Environmental Management Bureau) kasama ang MGB (Mines and Geosciences Bureau), titingnan po natin ang posibleng epekto ng dagat sa nakikita po nating liquefied na gumuguho," MGB Director Leo Jasareno told DZMM's Failon Ngayon.

The search and rescue operation was halted due to mudslides.

Jasareno explained that the coastal area of the Semirara Island is in fact a reclamation area, put up to keep the mine at a farther distance from the sea.

"Dahil nga po sa malapit ang open pit sa dagat, ang ginawa nila para mapalayo sa mine pit, nireclaim ang coastal area," Jasareno said.

Jasareno was unable to give the exact date the MGB will join the EMB in its survey of the mine incident.

The EMB is only one of the government agencies that will be assessing the situation at the Semirara mine. The EMB will be going to the site in relation to the Environmental Compliance Certificate issued to Semirara for the coal mine.

The Energy department, which supervises mine sites with products used to create power, is expected to take the lead in the assessment of the Semirara incident.

BURIAL

The remains of the two victims of the collapsed Antique mining pit will be buried today in Barangays Semirara and Alegria in Caluya while another body will be flown back to his family in Iloilo. 

Caluya Vice Mayor Diosdado Egina told Philippine News Agency that the remains of Abner Lim, 39, who worked as the foreman, will be buried in the public cemetery of Semirara island while that of Efren Equiza, 28, will be buried in Brgy. Alegria in Caluya.

Egina said they are scheduled to visit on Tuesday the remains of Joven Hocate, 31, from Zone 1 Calumpang, Molo, Iloilo City, and of George Bragat, 30, Purok 6, Sinoropan Licomo, Zamboanga City that are still in Semirara and in order to consult their families regarding the burial plans. 

The vice mayor also said that today, the body of Anthony Siblet, 26, will be airlifted to Brgy. Banuyao, Miag-ao, Iloilo where his family is waiting to give him proper burial.

Five miners are still missing since the landslide took place. 

Egina said that the K-9 sniffing dog of the 301st Brigade Philippine Army found a severed left hand on Monday believed to be that of Equiza. 

The 301st Brigade Philippine Army deployed the K-9 dogs and seven of its personnel in the island of Semirara last February 16 to support the ongoing conduct of search,rescue and retrieval operation.

Egina said right now the operation has resumed but conducted very slowly due to landslide warning.*abs-cbnnews.com/PNA