Philippine Navy

Retrieving the Interior chief’s remains: Navy divers share story

By Ma. Teresa Yosores, Correspondent

(Published on 25 August 2012, The Manila Times)

FOR some people, the five technical divers of the Philippine Navy’s Naval Special Operations Group (Navsog) involved in recovering the body of the late Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo offer profiles of courage, determination, and humility.

In an interview, PO3 Rogelio Brizuela Jr. and PO2 Edgardo Vergara, two of the Navsog divers who extricated the bodies of Robredo and Capt. Jessup Bahinting from the wreckage of the Piper Seneca plane that crashed in waters off Masbate province, said that having a positive attitude gave them the strength to continue their mission despite the occasional dread of diving into the dark and vast sea.

LTJG Josephus Dimaunahan, ET2 Carlo Montiel, and HM2 Sergs Estropigan round up the elite team.

Despite the divers’ vast experience in search and rescue or retrieval operations, unfavorable circumstances—underwater currents, ocean pressure, among others—could place them in danger. Still, they had to believe that they could beat the odds.

Brizuela and Vergara, who began their Navy careers in their early 20s, said that they had mixed feelings upon finding the plane, as well as Robredo’s body, which they found near the door, and Bahinting’s, which was pinned down in the cockpit.

They also said that both men looked as though they had tried to get out before losing consciousness because they had already removed their seatbelts and the Interior chief seemed to be reaching for the exit.

The divers expressed sadness that the country lost an important government official, but also fulfillment for having completed their mission.

 “Napakasaya ng aming pakiramdam dahil nagawa namin ang trabaho nang maayos at ligtas [We are so happy because we were able to do our job properly and safely],” said 37-year-old Brizuela, a native of Albay province.

The divers also don’t seem to mind that British technical diver Matthew Reed and his team were initially credited with retrieving Robredo’s body.

 “We don’t let these things affect us. What is important to us is that we did our duty right, we are all safe and we were able to help those who needed help,” Brizuela said.

He also said that their mindset is always fixed on how they would serve the country properly, adding that they would rather give credit to the whole team.

 “We cannot do it alone. We need the help of each teammate and even those who are not members of the Philippine Navy,” Brizuela said, referring to efforts extended not only by Navy personnel, but also those from the Philippine Army, the Philippine Coast Guard, the Philippine National Police, local government units, and Filipino and foreign volunteers.

When asked if they are worried for their families because of the risks involved, the divers answered that they are lucky that their wives and children accepted the challenges that come with their work.

 “They are supportive, not only morally but also spiritually,” said 39-year-old Vergara, a native of Pangasinan province.

END