PANTUKAN, Davao de Oro — Two miners were found dead after reportedly inhaling poisonous gas inside a tunnel in Purok 31, Magapispis, Barangay Napnapan, Pantukan, Davao de Oro, on Friday morning, November 7, 2025.
Authorities identified the fatalities as Jayphonie Dabucol, 27, and John Ryan Gayangan, both working as abanteros (frontline diggers) inside the tunnel. According to the Pantukan Municipal Police Station, the victims were extracted by fellow workers and later brought to a local funeral home.
Initial investigation revealed that the miners accidentally struck an old mineral layer or “file,” releasing what was believed to be a “gaseous” substance, possibly methane, which caused them to suffocate. Other workers in the site were rescued and are now safe.
The tunnel, police said, is reportedly owned by Dioscoro Elisan and Rolly Coming, and operated under a distino owned by Jerome Lariwan. The authorities have launched a deeper investigation to determine the type of gas that led to the miners’ deaths and whether proper safety protocols were followed.
What is a Methane Pocket?
A methane pocket is a natural pocket of methane gas trapped underground. It is colorless, odorless, and highly flammable. When disturbed during tunneling or mining, it can displace oxygen or explode upon contact with sparks or open flames.
Who is Responsible for Mining Safety?
The tragedy raises serious questions about who ensures the safety and compliance of mining operations in areas like Pantukan — a known hotspot for small-scale gold mining.
Under Philippine law, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) through its Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) is primarily responsible for regulating mining activities and ensuring occupational safety standards are enforced. Meanwhile, local governments are tasked to oversee and monitor small-scale mining operations through their Provincial or City Mining Regulatory Boards (PMRB/CMRB), in coordination with the DENR.
However, mining incidents like this highlight the persistent lack of safety enforcement and monitoring in informal or semi-regulated tunnels, where miners often risk their lives without proper ventilation, equipment, or training.
As the investigation continues, the public now awaits accountability — not only from tunnel owners but also from government agencies mandated to protect workers and prevent another deadly mining accident in the mineral-rich slopes of Davao de Oro.