BUGUIAS, Benguet – A 40-year old farmer died while his 25-year old farm labourer was injured after the tree they were cutting accidentally fell on them at sitio Babanga here recently.
Senior Superintendent Florante Camuyot, officer-in-charge of the Benguet Provincial Police Office, identified the fatality as Ariel Martin Balsina, 40, married, farmer, while he named his injured companion as Rolly Tarem Ligumio, 25, farm laborer a native of Tonglayan, Natonin, Mt. Province , both residents of Babanga, Loo, Buguias, Benguet.
Initial police investigation showed the two individuals, together with four companions, went to the forest to cut a tree that will be converted into firewood to be used during the death anniversary of their grandparents.
While the tree was about to be cut, it allegedly leaned and dangled into another tree that forced them to tie a rope on one of its end and pulled the same to be able to be removed from the other tree.
However, the tree accidentally fell on their side pinning the two individuals on the ground while their four companions were able to escape from the incident unhurt.
The two persons were rushed to the Lutheran District Hospital for medical treatment but Balsina was declared dead on arrival while Ligumio was confined for further observation due to multiple head and body injuries.
By Dexter A. See