The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) urges divers and dive operators to exercise heightened vigilance and adhere to strict safety protocols, particularly in areas with strong currents and active marine life.

This advisory follows a tragic diving incident confirmed by the Coast Guard District Southern Tagalog (CGDSTL) on 27 February 2025 in the waters off Pulong Bato, Brgy. San Agapito, Isla Verde, Batangas. Two foreign divers lost their lives, while two others survived the incident.

At around 3:45 PM, CGSS Isla Verde received a report from a resident of Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro, regarding missing divers from recreational boat named "D' Ocean Riders", which had departed from De Luna Diving Center, Barangay Aninuan, Puerto Galera at 9:30AM for a diving activity.

The group composed of one boat captain, two crew members, two master divers, and seven divers (1 Brazilian and 6 Russian nationals) who were initially dropped off at Sawang Dive Camp before proceeding to Pulong Bato for a second dive.

Based on the account of one of the survivors, Mr. Eduart Perigudin, 57 years old, the group—comprising of four divers and their Dive Master—entered the water at around 1:00 PM. However, 30 minutes into the dive, they encountered strong underwater currents, causing them to be separated.

Mr. Eduart Perigudin and his 18-year-old son, Timofy Perigudin, along with their Dive Master, managed to return safely to the boat. The survivors were found in good health condition. Unfortunately, two divers, identified as Mr. Ilya Perigudin, 29, and Mr. Maksim Melekhov, 39, went missing.

At approximately 1:50 PM, divers from Arkipelago Divers and Beach Resort, who were also conducting a dive in the vicinity waters off Pulong Bato, discovered Mr. Maksim Melekhov unconscious. He was immediately transported via speedboat to Sitio Aplaya, Brgy. Tabangao, Batangas. Despite efforts to provide medical assistance, Mr. Melekhov was declared dead on arrival at St. Patrick’s Hospital Medical Center at 3:23 PM.

The Coast Guard Sub Station Isla Verde, in coordination with deployed High-Speed Response Boat 009, and two recreational boats launched a search-and-retrieval operation that led to the discovery of Mr. Ilya Perigudin’s lifeless body at 5:34 PM. His remains were found floating near the shoreline of Pulong Bato, with both arms missing due to an apparent shark attack. Multiple sharks were observed in the vicinity during the recovery.

Witnesses and rescuers noted that his remains had sustained severe trauma consistent with a shark attack—both his left and right arms were missing, and several sharks were seen in the immediate vicinity.

The lifeless body was recovered by the PCG and transported to Puerto Galera Hospital. Following the necessary procedures, the remains were turned over to local funeral service in Brgy. Poblacion, Puerto Galera, for proper handover to the victim’s relatives.

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