TUBA, Benguet September 27 – A 21-year old laborer died after he accidentally fell on a 36-deep ravine with his head hitting a rock along the river bank at sitio Lasilas, Nangaisan here around 6:30 am Sunday.
Chief Inspector Jim Hilario, chief of the Tuba Municipal Police Station, identified the victim of accidental fall as Leo Mar Soniega Palongyas, alias Makling, 21, single, laborer and a resident of sitio Lasilias, barangay Nangalisan, Tuba, Benguet.
Initial police investigation showed the victim, who earlier had a drinking session with some friends in Nangalisan proper, was last seen sleeping on the concrete pavement near the pathway in their place at around 2:30 am Sunday.
Probers theorized that he probably woke up to urinate wherein he leaned in a nearby coconut tree in order to control himself but reportedly lost his balance causing him to fall on the ravine with his head hitting the rock along the river bank that caused his death.
Hilario disclosed that based on the statements of the victim’s parents, he reportedly left their house at around 8 pm Saturday and proceeded to Nangalisan proper to have a drinking spree with his friends.
After their drinking session, his friends informed investigators that the victim went to the house of a certain Roel Balik within their neighborhood and subsequently slept on the concrete pavement hear the pathway leading to their place.
According to Roel, he tried to wake the victim up at around 2 am Sunday for them to butcher a pig in preparation for the 9th month anniversary of his father but the victim continued sleeping after he responded to Roel’s action in waking him up.
As per post mortem examination conducted by the elements of the scene of the crime operation (SOCO) on the victim’s remains, it was found out that the primary cause of his death was blunt traumatic head injury probably secondary to fall.
Hilario disclosed the victim’s parents refused to subject their son for autopsy and opted to bring home his cadaver at Lasilas, Nangalisan, Tuba, Benguet for him to be given the traditional wake and burial rituals.
