Electrician electrocuted in Pinamungajan town

CEBU, Philippines - An electrician was electrocuted and his body was recovered hanging upside down from an electrical post past 5 p.m. yesterday in Barangay Tajao, Pinamungajan town.

Renato Rozarito, 44, of Barangay Dumlog, Toledo City, and a barangay electrician, was seen hanging upside down with his belt still strapped around an electrical post after he was electrocuted when he accidentally touched a livewire.

Initial investigation revealed Rozarito was hired by an establishment to fix its electrical wiring.

Inspector Gilbert Baroman, Pinamungajan police chief, said Rozarito climbed the post Sunday afternoon despite the heavy rain.

Baroman said that while Rozarito was strapping himself to the electrical post, he accidentally touched a secondary live wire and was electrocuted.

Kibitzers flocked around the post after seeing the electrician hanging upside down, with some taking photos and uploading it to social networking sites.

The police called for paramedics to rescue the electrician, who was later brought to the Pinamungajan District Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Baroman said he was able to speak to the management of the Cebu Electric Cooperative (CEBECO III).

He said they suspected that Rozarito might have wanted to change the old copper wire with a new one with a higher voltage because of the establishment's upgrade.  He added that what Rozarito was planning to do was illegal because only accredited linemen from CEBECO III are allowed to do the upgrade.

A barangay electrician is reportedly limited to fix electrical connections in private residences in areas where Cebeco III operates and not the main line.

"Bawal ang iyang gibuhat, kay trabaho man na unta sa mga taga CEBECO," Baroman said.

Rozarito reportedly applied as a lineman with the Cebeco III but was not hired. He was later accredited as a barangay electrician.

Meanwhile, a construction worker was found hanging inside the house he was working on in Barangay Babag, Lapu-Lapu City.

The victim was identified as Randy Sabang, 30, a native of Calape, Bohol.

Sabang, who reportedly used a cable wire to hang himself, was found by his fellow worker Ernesto Azombrado around 6 a.m.

According to the investigation conducted by PO3 Jerson Alparito, Sabang was last seen alive around 3 a.m.

Azombrado immediately brought the victim to the Lapu-Lapu District Hospital, where Sabang was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.

Alparito said they have ruled out foul play in the incident. (FREEMAN)