MANILA, Philippines—Twenty-three Navy divers broke the rules and abandoned standard operating procedure for rescue missions to save the lives of 10 miners trapped for days in an abandoned Benguet mine shaft in September.

Six other miners died in the accident.

Heavily trained in deep-sea saltwater diving, the Navy men in the tunnel had to wend their way more than 700 feet underground -- way over their allowable diving depth of 120 feet -- in fresh water up to 12 feet deep in sections to rescue the miners.

They also had to breathe the thin air in the tunnel and feel their way around because the shaft was pitch black and unfamiliar to them.

Their sacrifice was not in vain, however.

Not only were 10 lives saved, on Monday, the Philippine Navy accorded them due recognition for their heroism and extraordinary service to the public.

"They are a lasting model for the Philippine Navy… the rescue operation in Benguet was outside their usual environment, where they were exposed to extreme danger," said Flag Officer in Command Vice Admiral Ferdinand Golez during the award rites.

"This is the least we can do for their heroism," he said.

Sixteen small-scale miners were trapped in Antamok Goldfield in Itogon town after portions of the mine collapsed as Typhoon "Nina" crossed the Cordillera on September 25.

Three teams from the Naval Special Operations Group (SOG) took part in the operation that was completed on October 2.

"It was a do or die mission. What we did was not in the books. It was our first time to dive below sea level," said Seaman 1st Quartermaster Marlon Mansueto, of 17 Navy men to receive the Bronze Cross.

The others awarded the Bronze Cross were Ensign Lemuel Rosete and enlisted personnel Lemuel Tayco, Elimar Soclo, Eddie Isidro, Rogelio Brizuela, Joel Acerdano, Armando Casin, Danday Pontillas, Glen Marquez, Dante Carreon, Bryan Mendoza, Rey de Marquez, Alfredo Compas, Domingo Ecal, Epimaco Zausa and Ferdinand Pinosan.

Awarded the Distinguished Navy Cross -- the third highest Navy award -- were Commander Carlos Garcia Jr., Engineman 2nd Class Teofilo Fabia, Radioman 3rd Class Seato Camacho, Gunnersmate 3rd Class Glenn Atluna, and Seamen Michael Bashan and Delfin Cabalse.

Lieutenant Victor Ramos, head of the rescue team, was recommended for the Outstanding Achievement Medal. This was awaiting approval by Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, however, according to Navy spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Edgard Arevalo.

Mansueto, who has been in the service eight years, has been on many rescue operations, including that for the MV Princess of the Stars which sank during Typhoon "Frank" in June.

The Princess of the Stars mission off the coast of Romblon was easier, Mansueto said.

He admitted being concerned for his and his colleagues’ safety in the mine shaft because there was no light at all and they were not familiar with the tunnel and its bowels.

The smell of decaying bodies clung to their clothes, face masks and flashlights and made the operation all the more taxing. "I could feel the stench stinging my face," he said.

"But the look on the faces of the miners' families pushed us to go on. They were not hoping to find their loved ones alive, but at least we would find the bodies," he said.

Also awarded the Military Merit Medal for their part in the rescue were Navy SOG enlisted personnel Genaro Fernandez, Jovito Nario, Rodolfo Matias, Avelino Dacumos, Edwin Garcia, Willy Catimo, Rodrigo Vallejo, Constante Bulosan, Francisco Balolong, Felix Denina, Peter de los Reyes, Diony Elecion and Crisente Jarata.