PCG member drowns in WASAR training

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan — A member of the Philippine Coast Guard has died while participating in the Water Search and Rescue training exercise in Rizal town, Palawan province.

Initial reports disclosed that the PCG member — identified as Apprentice Seaman Saripon Diacudin assigned to the Philippine Coast Guard District Palawan — was swimming 100 meters with his colleagues on 15 November as part of the training exercise when the incident happened.

Despite efforts to revive him, Saripon was declared dead by the attending physician at approximately 9 p.m. on the same day.

The PCG district in the province released an official statement stating that Saripon's cause of death was hypoxia ischemic encephalopathy, which occurred due to drowning, followed by cardiac arrest.

"The incident occurred during their 100-meter swimming proficiency at Water Search, Rescue and Survival Techniques Training in Rizal, Palawan. The incident is currently under investigation. We appreciate the public's patience and understanding as the inquiry progresses," the PCG District Palawan said.

Due to the incident, PCG commandant Admiral Ronnie Gavan, has ordered the suspension of all ongoing WASAR training also on Thursday.

"All WASAR courses are hereby suspended immediately pending the conduct of review of safety procedures by the Coast Guard Special Operations Force and cognizant units," Gavan said.

"As guardians of the sea, our personnel are expected to have relevant knowledge and skills in swimming and saving lives at sea," he added.

Gavan also expressed a commitment to conducting a comprehensive evaluation of their existing training safety procedures in the wake of the incident.

"The goal is to improve these protocols to ensure that individuals undergoing training to become first responders can effectively serve the Philippines while placing a high priority on sea safety and saving lives," Gavan said.