By DIVE Staff
The Philippine Navy has announced it will conduct a thorough investigation into the deaths of two of its personnel, who died while diving together on Monday, 4 August.
The two men, aged 48 and 50 and said to be experienced divers, went missing while diving with two other people off Barangay Mindupok in Maitum, Sarangani Province, on the southestern coast of the island of Mindanao.
They were subsequently found unresponsive and floating at the surface approximately 1 hour after they were reported missing.
The pair were taken to Sarangani Provincial Hospital in Maitum, where they were declared dead on arrival. Media reports suggest the two men likely drowned, although no cause of death has been formally announced.
In an interview with the Philippine Daily Tribune, Philippine Navy Spokesperson Captain John Percie Alcos said: ‘We are confirming the death of our two men who were conducting recreational diving during their off-duty hours.
‘One was on a mental wellness break, or otherwise known as rest and recreation, while the other one is on authorised absence.’
‘To date, we cannot release the names of our deceased personnel. We have notified their respective families already, but because of the investigation, we cannot release their names yet.’
‘We are providing full assistance to the bereaved families as part of our commitment to their welfare,’ Alcos added. ‘Above all, we recognise and honour the service and dedication of our fallen sailors to the country and the Filipino people.’
Capt Alcos said the investigation will seek to determine the cause of the incident and identify improvements in safety protocols for Navy personnel involved in recreational diving.
