Teen killed in 'illegal' quarrying in Poro town

What began as an ordinary workday for an 18-year-old boy ended in tragedy when he was fatally struck by a massive boulder during an alleged illegal quarrying operation in Barangay Cagcagan, Poro, on Friday afternoon, October 24, 2025.

- Jonnavie Villa/FPL

The victim, identified as Jade Suralta, was working near a backhoe around 3 p.m. when loose rocks suddenly fell from a limestone wall, hitting him fatally. Witnesses said Suralta had his back turned from the excavator at the time of the accident, while three of his companions, who were facing the machine, managed to avoid the falling debris.

The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) immediately sent a team to the site to investigate. The team found that quarrying activities in the area had been ongoing without a valid permit since 2021.

According to PENRO chief Rodel Bontuyan, the only permit ever issued for that area was a Gratuitous Permit granted to the local government in August 2020, at the height of the pandemic.

The one-year permit allowed the extraction of limestone and other materials for LGU use, such as road construction and maintenance projects.

"That was the only permit issued in the area ever since. Wala nay renewal after that," Bontuyan said.