2 die in Subic bridge construction mishap

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT, Philippines — Two construction workers died while three others suffered serious injuries when a bridge being constructed along an expressway in this freeport collapsed on Tuesday.

An incident report said Marvin Tajores, 41, a resident of Masinloc, Zambales, and Vicencio Pamisa, 57, a native of Cagayan de Oro, were pinned under metal column beams and a steel girder post, which is 18 meters long and weighs 180 tons.

Joel Pitel, John Ray Salatan and Peter Pahilan were injured and brought to the James L. Gordon Memorial Hospital in Olongapo City for treatment.

“We are deeply saddened by this unfortunate accident,” Meiline Maquiling, spokesperson for Sta. Clara International Corp., builder of the P1.6-billion Subic Freeport Expressway expansion project, said.

Maquiling gave assurance that appropriate assistance would be given to the victims and their families.