No foul play in meat mixer mishap – PNP

By: Jennifer P. Rendon

AN 18-YEAR-OLD boy from Laua-an, Antique was killed in a meat mixer accident early morning of June 22, 2019 in La Paz, Iloilo City.

Police identified the victim as Joemar Jungco, a worker at Akhira Frozen Foods in Barangay Mansaya, La Paz.

Based on initial investigation, it appeared that Junco had placed his hand into the meat mixer while it was processing chorizo meat.

The machine may have pulled in Jungco and pinned half of his body.

Karl, Jungco’s fellow worker, said he saw his legs in the air and half of his body into the mixer. He said he immediately turned off the machine but it was too late to save the teenager.

According to Josielor Jaleco, owner of the frozen foods company, the victim had been working with her for two weeks already as a packer and sealer.

She said she warned the victim against using the meat mixer in the meantime.

“Nahambalan man na sya nga indi na pag-ibutang ang iya kamot sa sulod kon may karne na kag naga-andar (We’ve been telling him to refrain from putting his hands in the grinder while there is meat and it has been turned on),” she said.

But Jaleco theorized that the teenager may have tried to operate the mixer but the machine may have wolfed down his hand.

Karl, on the other hand, claimed he went out of the working area to get the key to their living quarters. It is believed that Jungco tinkered with the machine while alone.

Meanwhile, Police Corporal Jeniffer Espora, La Paz police investigator, said they did not detect any hint of foul play in Jungco’s death.

“We’ve asked his co-workers and the owner and they claimed he was alone at the working area when the incident happened,” she said.

A technician had to disassemble parts of the machine in order to extract the victim’s pinned upper body. (With a report from Emme Rose Santiagudo)