PCG: PCG Mobile Team Malatapay personnel together with Special Operations Group (SOG) Dumaguete successfully rescued five (5) Chinese nationals who went missing while diving at approximately one (1) nautical mile east of Sitio Cogon, Apo Island, Dauin in Negros Oriental on November 30, 2015.

The incident was reported to CGMT Malatapay by a certain Mr. George Regalado, tour guide of the said foreign tourists at 12 noon of the same day.

According to Regalado, the victims rented Mbca Kodiak and dived at said vicinity. After a considerable period of time, the boat crew noticed that the five tourists were nowhere in sight. He then reported to the Coast Guard that the tourists were missing and requested for search and rescue assistance.

Immediately, CGS Dumaguete dispatched a SAR team onboard Aluminum Boat (AB-100) to conduct search and rescue operation for the said Chinese tourists.

At 12:20 pm of the same day, the SAR team sighted the victims floating approximately one nautical mile away from the diving site and subsequently rescued them. They were then brought to the Protected Management Board (PAMB) office in Apo Island.

Investigation conducted to the rescued tourists revealed that they drifted away from their dive site due to strong current prevailing in the area.

The five (5) rescued Chinese Nationals were identified as follows:

1. Xuan Meng 33 years old male 

2. Maling Yuw 33 years old male 

3. Ding Jia 36 years old male

4. Igi Chuan 31 years old male 

5. Rug Ni 28 years old male

The victims were found to be in good physical condition and were subsequently turned-over to PAMB for proper disposition.