Army sends combat divers to Masbate

Divers gear up as rescue operations for Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo and his companions continue. Photo from gov.ph

MANILA, Philippines — A 29-man team, which includes 13 combat scuba divers of the elite Special Forces were sent by the Philippine Army Monday to join the ongoing search and rescue operations in Masbate to find missing Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo and his companions, whose plane crashed off the waters in Masbate Saturday.

The team, led by Captain Jerry Jaucian, arrived in Masbate port around 11a.m.

The combat divers were joined by 16 support personnel composed of a group of highly-skilled military personnel which will be deployed in scouring the deep waters near the crash site, said Army spokesman Major Harold Cabunoc.

Colonel Felix Castro Jr., the Commander of the 903rd Brigade of the Philippine Army conducted mission briefing to the group upon the team’s arrival at the unit’s tactical command post.