17 July 2015

The Department of Energy has ordered the immediate suspension of the operations of Coal Operating Contract No.(COC) 5 Semirara, Antique effective immediately. In a letter to Semirara Mining Corporation (SMC), OIC-Sectary Zenaida Y. Monsada ordered suspension and informed of the formation of an Investigation Committee to look into the matter.

Based on preliminary information, the incident occurred at 3:30 AM at the North edge of the Panian Mine site of COC No. 5 involving 9 personnel. As of 6:30 AM, 3 bodies have been recovered and are confirmed dead. Search and rescue operations are on-going.

“Our prayers are with the families of the victims and we have directed SMC to focus on search and rescue operations,” said Monsada.

The DOE will continue to monitor the developments on this matter.