Three alleged treasure hunters buried alive in La Union

CAMP DIEGO SILANG, La Union - A father and son and a companion, who were allegedly conducting treasure hunting, were trapped dead inside a 50-feet deep hole they were digging in Sitio Bucutan, Barangay San Fermin, Caba, La Union on Tuesday.

The victims  were identified as Bonifacio Pepe Rimorin, 54, and his son Jonathan, 30, a resigned personnel of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, both residents of Barangay Gana, Caba, La Union, and their companion Wilfredo Gatchalian Jr, 59, a resident of Barangay Sobredillo, also in Caba.

Rescuers carry the body bags containing the remains of three people who died while digging for treasure in Sitio Bucutan, Brgy. San Fermin, Caba, La Union on Tuesday, May 30, 2017. Vic Alhambra Jr.

Initial investigation showed that the victims were not able to go home on Monday night.

Relatives tried to find them until they discovered at around 10 a.m. Tuesday that the three were left inside the hole.

Rescuers, who retrieved their bodies, theorized that the victims may have died due to lack of oxygen. —KG, GMA News