Three men died after they got buried in soil when a massive erosion occurred in the area they were allegedly hunting for treasures in Barangay Ibo, Malalag, Davao del Sur on Monday, November 10, 2025.

According to a report by GMA Super Radyo Davao, police said two of the victims were residents of Digos City while the other was from Padada town.

Based on investigation, the victims and their co-workers were doing excavation work at around 8 a.m. for an alleged treasure hunt, reportedly being supervised by the contractor and landowner. However, the soil within the excavation site eroded later in the afternoon, burying the three victims inside the pit.

Police and personnel of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) have launched a retrieval operation.

The landowner and the contractor were brought to the police station for investigation to determine possible violations related to the incident.

“The chief of police expressed his concern over the incident, emphasizing the importance of compliance with environmental and safety regulations, and urging the public to avoid unauthorized excavation or treasure-hunting activities that endanger lives,” the Malalag Municipal Police Station said.

(With reports from King Pandia, GMA Super Radyo Davao)