Family of 5 killed after tree falls on house amid Ramil in Quezon

Five members of a family were killed instantly when a giant buli tree fell on their home in Pitogo, Quezon during the onslaught of Tropical Storm Ramil.

According to GMA News stringer Peewee Bacuno, the incident happened around 6:00 a.m. Sunday in Barangay Saguinsinan.

The victims included a 66-year-old grandfather, a couple in their mid-30s, their 11-year-old child, and a five-month-old baby. Only the eldest son survived, as he was near the door when the tree fell.

He tried to pull his family members out but said, “Pinilit ko silang hilahin pero hindi ko kinaya sa laki ng puno.” (I tried to pull them out but couldn’t because of the size of the tree.)

The boy ran for help from neighbors, but rescuers arrived too late. All victims sustained fatal head and body injuries.

The lone survivor said the tree had long been meant to be removed from the property. “Sinusunog raw ito ng dating nakatira sa kanilang bahay,” he said. (The previous resident tried to burn it down.) His grandfather also attempted to burn the tree to prevent accidents during storms.

Pitogo police said strong winds caused the tree to snap, possibly worsened by previous burning attempts that weakened its base.

The remains of the victims are now at a local funeral home. Congressman Reynan Arrogancia’s office will shoulder burial expenses and assist the surviving child. —RF, GMA Integrated News