Air Force, Navy join search for missing diver in Palawan

June 6, 2019

The Philippine Air Force and Navy joined the search and rescue (SAR) operation for a missing diver in Palawan.

In a statement, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Command (Wescom) said it deployed aircraft and naval assets.

"In line with Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR) mandate of Wescom, it is continuously conducting the search and rescue operation of Mr. Bryan Nazareno who went missing in the vicinity of Amos Rock Dive Site in Tubbataha reefs last June 3, 2019 at 4 pm," it stated.

"The search and rescue/retrieval operations in ongoing and being conducted by joint efforts of this command, naval forces west of Philippine Navy (PN), tactical operation wing of Philippine Air Force (PAF), Coast Guard and civilian divers," the statement noted.

"Naval vessels and aircraft of this command are currently being used in the area," it added.

The command said as of Thursday "the diver has not yet been located."

Among military assets deployed are BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PS 16), BRP Federico Martir Patrol Craft 385, rubber boats and naval helicopters.

"Naval patrol ship 16 on June 4, 2019, 2 am departed from 2Lt. Lagare Pier, Puerto Princesa, Palawan and on June 5, 2019, it started conducting parallel search at south islet, Tubbataha Reef," it stated.

"Naval special operations units rubber boat and divers launched search and rescue operations southwest of Amos Rock Dive Site, Tubbataha," it added.

According to Wescom, the Philippine Navy Islander 312 is scheduled to augment search and rescue operations.

"Wescom in coordination with various stakeholders will continue conducting the joint search and rescue operations despite inclement weather," the command said. Robina Asido/DMS