By Glazyl M. Jopson
BACOLOD CITY – A barangay councilor and a member of the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (LDRRMO) died, while three others, including two barangay officials, were injured in an electrocution incident in Barangay Poblacion, Mabinay, Negros Oriental, on Monday.
The fatalities were identified as Kagawad Elnie Endencio, 41, of Barangay Arebasore, and Jonel Tenebroso, 31, of Barangay Mayapose, an LDRRMO employee.
The injured included Kagawad Jay-ar Norbe, 33, of Barangay Arebasore; Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) chairperson Realyn Billares, 19, of Barangay Banban; and Kimjun Padasay, 30, secretary of Barangay Arebasore.
Police Lt. Stephen Polinar, public information officer of the Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office (Norppo), said the victims were dismantling a Christmas tree and removing its lights at around 5:30 p.m. despite rainy weather.
The incident occurred when a boom truck operated by Tenebroso accidentally struck a live electrical line.
Due to the rain and contact with the electrical current, the victims suffered severe injuries.
“It was an accident, and they didn’t know they would hit a live wire, despite taking precautions,” Polinar said.
Endencio and Tenebroso were declared dead at a hospital, while the three injured individuals are recovering at a hospital in Dumaguete City.
