THE Philippine Navy (PN) has confirmed two of its officers died nearly an hour into their recreational dive in Barangay Mindupok, Maitum, Sarangani, on Monday.
“Lubos naming ikinalulungkot ang pagpanaw ng dalawa naming tauhan na nagko-conduct ng recreational diving sa Sarangani province (We are saddened by the death of two of our officers who were conducting recreational diving in Sarangani province),” PN spokesman Capt. John Percie Alcos said in a phone interview.
According to Alcos, the two navy officers were experienced divers who decided to go for a recreational dive during their off-duty on Monday.
The first one was on a mental wellness break, otherwise known as rest and recreation, while the other was on authorized absence.
However, an hour later, the two were seen lifeless and floating on the surface. “There were attempts to resuscitate, but they were pronounced dead on arrival at the Sarangani hospital,” Alcos said.
“A formal investigation is underway to determine the actual cause and details of the accident as well as to enable us to further improve protocols, especially on safety,” Alcos said.
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