3 brothers die in treasure hunt

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines  – Three brothers digging for gold died after they were trapped in a hole 20 feet deep in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental on Saturday.

Reports said Danilo Nabas, 42, and his brothers Rolando, 40, and Reynante, 33, believed treasure was buried near their home in Sitio Bugtong, Barangay Tan-awan.

City police chief Superintendent German Garbosa said the victims’ brother-in-law, Joseph Masola, 22, checked on them around noon but got no reply.

Masola went down the hole but the stench of sulfur caused him difficulty in breathing. He climbed back and called for help.

Rescuers found the brothers unconscious and rushed them to a hospital, along with Masola, where the victims died while being treated.

Masola remained confined in the hospital. Garbosa said the brothers had been digging since last year. The victim’s uncle, Rodrigo Nabas Sr., said Rolando saw in his dreams that gold bars were buried near their home.