Coconut tree falls, kills 2 people; Who is liable?

A 24-year-old female teacher and her 47-year-old uncle were killed on Saturday when a coconut tree uprooted and fell on them in Barangay Poblacion III, Mabini town, Bohol. PO1 Glenn Rosal of Bohol Police Provincial Office (BPPO) identified the victims as Jaycel Barcibal Dajalos and her uncle, Rogelio Tutor Barcibal, both residents of Purok 6, Barangay Minol, Mabini. Dajalos was a teacher in a private school in Ubay town. (Falling coconut tree kills teacher, uncle in Bohol By: Leo Udtohan - Correspondent / @leoudtohanINQ Inquirer Visayas / 01:13 AM January 07, 2018 Read more: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/958104/uprooted-coconut-tree-deaths#ixzz53TzWZ73T Follow us: @inquirerdotnet on Twitter | inquirerdotnet on Facebook)

Two people were killed in a freak fallen tree accident in Bohol province on Saturday morning. Citing initial information, GMA News Bohol stringer Leo Udtohan identified the victims as teacher Jaycel Barcibal Dajalos, 24, and her uncle Rogelio Barcibal, 47. Both were residents of Barangay Minol of Mabini town. Witnesses were quoted as saying that the incident occurred in Mabini's Barangay Poblacion II, when a coconut tree suddenly fell on the victims riding a motorcycle on the morning of January 6. (2 killed in Bohol fallen tree incident; LBG, GMA News; Published January 7, 2018 8:48am) Act 386's CHAPTER 4: Ruinous Buildings and Trees in Danger of Falling; Article 482. If a building, wall, column, or any other construction is in danger of falling, the owner shall be obliged to demolish it or to execute the necessary work in order to prevent it from falling. If the proprietor does not comply with this obligation, the administrative authorities may order the demolition of the structure at the expense of the owner, or take measures to insure public safety. (389a)

Act 386's Article 483. Whenever a large tree threatens to fall in such a way as to cause damage to the land or tenement of another or to travelers over a public or private road, the owner of the tree shall be obliged to fell and remove it; and should he not do so, it shall be done at his expense by order of the administrative authorities. (390a)