By Mary Judaline Partlow
DUMAGUETE CITY – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and civilian volunteers have recovered the decomposing bodies of two fishermen believed to have died from compressor diving in the waters off Apo Island, Dauin town, Negros Oriental, authorities said Friday.
Lt. Marionne Abigail Enopia, Coast Guard-Negros Oriental station commander, told the Philippine News Agency that the decomposing bodies of Joel Tapsilani and Bobong Daomani were retrieved underwater by local divers around 3:50 p.m. Thursday in the vicinity of Cogon Point in Apo Island.
“The Coast Guard personnel in Apo Island received a phone call around 9 a.m. Thursday from an unidentified person in Bohol who said they had two companions who were missing after they went compressor diving two days earlier,” Enopia said.
Initial investigation showed that Tapsilani and Daomani were part of a six-man group from Dawis, Bohol who arrived in Apo Island on May 20 to fish using an air compressor — a method illegal in the Philippines.
The four, whose identities remain unknown, allegedly cut off the compressor air hoses of Tapsilani and Daomani, who were already underwater upon seeing a seacraft coming towards them, believing they were law enforcers.
Enopia said the four immediately left on board an unregistered motor banca, leaving behind their two companions.
The cadavers were turned over to the Dauin police station, awaiting the next-of-kin to claim them. (PNA)
