The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Wednesday, Nov. 22 confirmed that a Coast Guard Apprentice Seaman (ASN) died during a water search and rescue (WASAR) training in Sangley Point, Cavite.
In a statement posted on its official Facebook page, PCG said CG ASN Mori Caguay passed away while they were "undergoing lifesaving scenarios" during the WASAR training at around 7:53 PM on Nov. 16.
"CG ASN Caguay was swimming towards a rubber boat, but after a minute, the training staff noticed he was unresponsive. Two Coast Guard medical personnel conducted a rescue operation and basic life support (BLS). CG ASN Caguay remained unresponsive after three minutes of continuous BLS around 7:57AM," it said.
The PCG added that Caguay was brought to the nearest hospital, but was declared dead last Monday, Nov. 20.
The agency assured that the investigation into the incident will be neutral and that the concerned PCG personnel will be punished once they are proven guilty, in adherence with its prevailing laws and regulations.
"More importantly, the Coast Guard Commandant directed the Coast Guard Inspector General and Internal Affairs Service to collaborate with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and be transparent in reviewing, addressing, and investigating the incident," PCG furthered.
In an interview during DZRH Damdaming Bayan, PCG spokesperson Rear Admiral Armand Balilo confirmed that two different incidents occured in Palawan and Cavite.
"Yung isa sa Palawan, nagku-qualify para mag-undergo sa school. Sa swimming pa lang, nagkaroon na siya ng problema at nasawi noong panahon ng diagnostic exam. Yung isa naman, ongoing na ang training. Habang nag-training, ay napansin na unconcious at tinakbo sa ospital. Later on, nasawi na rin," he said.
Balilo assured that they will be "open" and "transparent" in the investigation.
"Chine-check namin kung may lapses doon sa kinonduct na training, kung bakit nalunod. Ayan ay pinai-imbestigahan na natin. In fact, pumasok na yung NBI, sa hiling ng pamilya. Tayo naman ay open at transparent tayo," he said.
Balilo sa apprentice na nalunod sa Cavite: Ito yung mga nag-specialize na sa water search and rescue operations. May dalawang insidente na nangyari.#DamdamingBayan#SamaSamaTayoPilipino
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) November 22, 2023
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