The DoE Visayas, the agency that monitors the operation of coal mines in its area of responsibility, said the team is headed by Engr. Eduardo Amante, chief of the Energy Resources Development and Utilization Department.

The coal mine is owned by Sunrise Industry, which has been in operation at the site in the last 30 years.

DoE 7 Director Antonio Labios said coal mine operators are required by law to inform authorities about accidents in their work areas within 24 hours following the occurrence of the incident.

Police identified the two blast victims as Avelino Pantojan and Sonny Alberca, both residents of Barangay Linot-od. The police learned of the incident when it was reported by one of the relatives of the victims Tuesday morning. The incident took place Sunday night.

Accounts reaching the police stated that the two had been digging for eight hours and were waiting for the emanation of hazardous gas to subside when the explosion occurred.

Police said there were three of them working on that shift but the third man went out just in time before the explosion to get wood to install braces at the mine ceiling.

But police probers have yet to locate and identify the third man, in order to determine the circumstances moments before the killer explosion.

Dr. Stanley Caminero, brother of Board Member Wilfredo Caminero, a former mayor of Argao town, who is now a provincial board member.

It was not the first time that a fatal explosion had taken place in coal mines in Argao.

While the job is risky, several residents in Argao’s mountain barangays resorted to working at coal mines for their livelihood.