Tragedy in Escalante City
A 24-year-old lineman died after a fatal electric shock while working to energize a transformer in Barangay Balintawak, Escalante City, Negros Occidental, on Saturday, Oct. 11. Police identified the victim as Orly, an employee of a private contractor and a resident of Victorias City, Negros Occidental. The incident underscores the inherent dangers faced by utility workers as they restore or energize power lines in the field.
What Happened
According to Escalante City Police Station deputy chief Police Capt. Lindsey Caraballe, Orly was electrocuted when he touched a live wire from a secondary line. The event triggered a temporary power interruption in the area. Rescue crews, aided by Noneco personnel, responded to the scene. It took more than an hour to safely remove Orly from atop the electrical post and provide care at the site before transport to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Response and Investigation
Colleagues of the victim stated that they coordinated with the Northern Negros Electric Cooperative (Noneco) to carry out the energization process. The response highlighted the collaborative effort between the contractor, the cooperative, and local authorities to manage an on-site danger and minimize disruption to the community. Police and emergency responders are expected to conduct a formal investigation to determine whether safety protocols were observed and to review any contributing factors such as equipment condition or work permits. The case adds to ongoing discussions about worker safety standards in the region’s power sector and the importance of strict adherence to established energization procedures.
Second Incident in Negros Oriental
Separately on Saturday, Oct. 11, authorities uncovered two abandoned panel vans loaded with illicit cigarettes in Purok 6, Barangay Nagbo-alao, Basay, Negros Oriental. The Highway Patrol Unit–Negros Island Region (HPU-NIR) observed several individuals transferring master cases of smuggled cigarettes into the vehicles. Upon noticing law enforcement, suspects fled the area. Police, aided by other agencies, secured the site and initiated coordination with the Bureau of Customs and other relevant authorities for verification, inventory, and safeguarding of the evidence.
What Happens Next
The value of the contraband is yet to be determined, as the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) will lead the official inventory and valuation process. Investigations will also focus on identifying those involved in the illicit trade, tracing supply chains, and preventing further smuggling activities. Authorities remind the public that such contraband undercuts legitimate businesses and poses broader risks to government revenue and public health through illegal products.
Context and Implications
These twin events—a fatal utility accident and the discovery of smuggled cigarettes—reflect ongoing safety and regulatory challenges in the Philippines’ Negros islands. For workers, the Escalante incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for rigorous adherence to safety protocols, comprehensive training, proper protective equipment, and robust supervision on energization tasks. For authorities, the Basay case underscores the importance of cross-agency cooperation to combat illicit trade and safeguard public revenue. Community members and industry stakeholders alike are watching how investigations unfold and what preventive measures will be adopted to avoid similar tragedies or criminal activity in the future.
