Tragedy in Escalante City
A 24-year-old lineman was fatally electrocuted while working to energize a transformer in Barangay Balintawak, Escalante City, Negros Occidental, on Saturday, Oct. 11. The victim, identified by police as Orly, was employed by a private contractor and resided in Victorias City, Negros Occidental. The loss stunned family, colleagues, and residents, underscoring the dangerous nature of frontline electrical work.
What Happened
According to Escalante City Police Station Deputy Chief Police Captain Lindsey Caraballe, Orly touched a live wire from a secondary line, leading to a fatal electrocution. His colleagues said they coordinated with the Northern Negros Electric Cooperative (Noneco) to carry out the energization process, indicating the collaboration often required between contractors and utility cooperatives during line energization projects. A power interruption followed the incident, and it took more than an hour for rescuers and Noneco personnel to recover the victim from atop the electrical post. He was pronounced dead at a hospital, authorities confirmed.
Response and Aftermath
Emergency responders and utility personnel worked to secure the area and restore services after the incident. The focus has since shifted to investigations to determine whether safety procedures were followed, whether proper protective equipment was used, and what lessons can be learned to prevent similar tragedies in the future. Local authorities have promised a thorough review of protocols for energizing transformers and for coordinating with private contractors and cooperatives during such operations.
Second Incident: Illicit Cigarettes in Negros Oriental
On the same day, 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) reported spotting several individuals moving master cases of smuggled cigarettes into the vehicles. Sensing the police presence, the suspects fled the scene. Law enforcement and other agencies secured the area and liaised with the Bureau of Customs and related authorities to verify and inventory the contraband. The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is expected to lead the official inventory and valuation process to determine the total value of the seized goods.
Ongoing Investigations and Community Impact
Both incidents highlight ongoing concerns over workplace safety and illegal trade in the region. Local officials stressed the importance of strict adherence to safety protocols in energy projects, including risk assessments, proper grounding, use of insulated tools, and clear coordination between contractors and utility providers. In Basay, the seizure underscores the challenge of smuggling and tax evasion, with authorities preparing a formal inventory and valuation to support potential investigations and prosecutions.
What This Means for Residents
For residents of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental, these events serve as a reminder of the dangers posed by high-voltage work and the persistent issue of illicit trade. Community leaders call for continued vigilance, better safety training for workers, and robust inspection programs to prevent accidents and curb smuggling. Authorities reassured the public that investigations are ongoing and that findings will be released as they become available.
