Race against time: 2 men trapped in Zamboanga Sur flooded mining tunnel

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur — Authorities on Saturday continue to race against time for two men trapped by floods at a mining tunnel in Barangay Dilud of Dumingag town, Zamboanga del Sur since Wednesday, Sept. 30.

Responders have launched search and rescue operations for the duo at the abandoned mining tunnel. As of Saturday afternoon, the Dumingag municipal police station said the two miners were not yet located.

Captain Derf Jay Maquinta, spokesperson for the Zamboanga del Sur Police Provincial Office (ZSPPO), said personnel from the Dumingag municipal police station responded to a report from a concerned citizen regarding the incident.

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READ: Zamboanga Sibugay governor warns of fake mining permits

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Initial investigation revealed that the two men allegedly entered a previously closed mining tunnel at a site covered by a cease-and-desist order issued by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB).

While inside, a sudden surge of river water—triggered by heavy rains—entered the tunnel and trapped the individuals. The site, located about 20 kilometers from the town center, had been abandoned following regulatory closure.

Search and rescue operations were done by combined forces from the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), Philippine National Police (PNP), and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).

Authorities confirmed that water inside the tunnel remained about 20 feet deep, complicating rescue efforts for the victims, who were reportedly residents of Purok 7, Barangay Paraiso, Mahayag, Zamboanga del Sur.

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The Dumingag local government reiterated its warning to the public to refrain from entering abandoned or unauthorized mining areas for safety reasons.

Zamboanga del Sur Governor Divina Grace Yu had expressed frustration over persistent illegal mining in Dumingag.

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Yu, who inspected Barangays Dulop and Licabang last week, warned local officials to halt illicit extractions immediately.

She noted that residents often engage in covert small-scale operations, transporting sacks of ore that are bought at about P1,000 each. Yu stressed that economic pressures cannot justify violations of environmental laws.

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Yu assured the public that multi-sectoral talks will continue until a sustainable solution is reached to permanently stop illegal mining in Dumingag. INQ /mr