A joint effort on search and retrieval operations has been ongoing to locate the diver in Tubbataha Reef that went missing since June 3, Monday.
Lieutenant Commander Christian S. Jazmin, CGDP spokesperson, said in an interview with Palawan Daily News that Bryan R. Nazareno, 43 years old, went missing, when he and his team was diving near the vicinity of Amos Rock / Red Bout.
“Mr. Zack Riskin, master diver of Motor Yacht Palusports, seeks assistance from PCG Substation to locate [the missing person],” Jazmin said.
Immediately, according to Jazmin, the team responded and deployed to conduct the search and rescue.
“Nag deploy kaagad ng search and rescue team to locate Mr. Nazareno. Ininform din ang District Palawan at PDDRMO at nagkaroon ng aerial survey onboard a Cessna Plane para po doon sa missing diver para po hanapin,” he said.
Coast Guard Palawan further intensifies the search by deploying their assets and joint efforts with other lead agencies to conduct the operation.
“Immediately then nag deploy ng 44 meter vessel natin ang BRP Cabra, MRRV 4409 at onboard sa kanila doon ang search and rescue team to include ang ating coast guard divers, mga special operations group and then ‘yung mga medical team tayo na sinama din po natin doon. And then may dalawa ding PDDRMO na sumama at yung diver po ng Philippine Airforce.”
“Basically it’s a joint effort for the rescue retrieval headed by the Philippine Coast Guard,” he said.
Spokesperson Jazmin said Nazareno and his team were on Tubbataha Reef most probably due to leisure diving
“Basically po wala pa akong information na may research na ginagawa doon sa area. Most likely leisure diving,” Jazmin said.
Diving tours that are held regularly in Tubbataha Reef are closely monitored by the Philippine Coast Guard. And all trips to the area need prior approval by the PCG.
“They are still coordinating with the PCG. Nagpapa clear po sa atin ang barko to include po ang manifest ng mga yate na pumupunta doon sa Tubbataha. And then when they are aboard sa Tubbataha mag la log-in po sila doon sa Tubbataha Ranger Park Station. Alam po natin yun, basically. The moment na nawala po si Mr. Bryan Nazereno, nag conduct kaagad ng search and rescue operation ang ating coast guard sa Tubbataha to include ang Tubbataha Park Rangers,” Jazmin explained.
Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park is located in Cagayancillo, Palawan and has received various international awards, including the Platinum Global Ocean Refuge Award in Chile last September 2017. Due to weather conditions, ideal time for diving in Tubbataha Reef is from March until June.