Diving activities suspended following shark attack reports

By Nimfa Estrellado PCG personnel recover the body of a Russian diver following a fatal shark attack in Isla Verde, Batangas. (Coast Guard D...

By Nimfa Estrellado

PCG personnel recover the body of a Russian diver following a fatal shark attack in Isla Verde, Batangas. (Coast Guard District Southern Tagalog)

LUCENA CITY, Quezon – Effective immediately, the Quezon Provincial Government led by Governor Angelina "Helen" Tan has announced on March 1, 2025 a strict prohibition on all diving activities throughout the province. This measure will remain in effect until further notice, when authorities determine it is safe to resume such activities.

The provincial government announced the temporary suspension of diving activities on its Facebook page, urging the public, especially beach resort owners, to take note. This decision was made due to concerns about current ocean conditions and confirmed reports of #shark attacks.



Quezon Provincial Tourism Office issued this directive after receiving a letter from the Coast Guard Station Southern Luzon, highlighting the potential dangers and urging immediate action. The priority is to ensure the safety of residents and tourists alike.

Resort owners and individuals are urged to adhere to this directive and refrain from any diving-related activities. Authorities will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as they become available.





This decision also aligns with a recent advisory from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), which reminds divers to prioritize safety following the incident in Isla Verde. The PCG urges divers and dive operators to exercise heightened vigilance and adhere to strict safety protocols, particularly in areas with strong currents and active marine life.

This advisory follows a tragic diving incident confirmed by the Coast Guard District Southern Tagalog (CGDSTL) on February 27, 2025 in the waters off Pulong Bato, Barangay San Agapito, Isla Verde, Batangas. Two foreign divers lost their lives, while two others survived the incident.







According to the PCG report, at around 3:45 PM, Coast Guard Sub-Station (CGSS) Isla Verde received a report from a resident of Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro, regarding missing divers. The divers were aboard a recreational boat named "D' Ocean Riders," which had departed from De Luna Diving Center, Barangay Aninuan, Puerto Galera at 9:30 AM for a diving activity.

The group consisted of one boat captain, two crew members, two master divers, and seven divers (1 Brazilian and 6 Russian nationals). They were initially dropped off at Sawang Dive Camp before proceeding to Pulong Bato for a second dive.

Based on the account of one of the survivors, a 57-year-old Russian diver, the group—comprising four divers and their Dive Master—entered the water at around 1:00 PM. However, 30 minutes into the dive, they encountered strong underwater currents, causing them to be separated.

Said diver, together with his 18-year-old son, along with their Dive Master, managed to return safely to the boat. The survivors were found in good health condition. Unfortunately, two divers, a 29-year-old male diver and a 39-year-old male diver, both Russians, went missing.

At approximately 1:50 PM, divers from Arkipelago Divers and Beach Resort, who were also conducting a dive in the vicinity waters off Pulong Bato, discovered the 39-year-old diver unconscious. He was immediately transported via speedboat to Sitio Aplaya, Barangay Tabangao, Batangas. Despite efforts to provide medical assistance, he was declared dead on arrival at St. Patrick’s Hospital Medical Center at 3:23 PM.

The Coast Guard Sub-Station Isla Verde, in coordination with deployed High-Speed Response Boat 009, and two recreational boats, launched a search-and-retrieval operation that led to the discovery of the remaining victim's lifeless body at 5:34 PM. His remains were found floating near the shoreline of Pulong Bato, with both arms missing due to an apparent shark attack. Multiple sharks were observed in the vicinity during the recovery.

The lifeless body was recovered by the PCG and transported to Puerto Galera Hospital. Following the necessary procedures, the remains were turned over to a local funeral service in Barangay Poblacion, Puerto Galera, for proper handover to the victim’s relatives.

The PCG emphasizes the importance of safety protocols, especially in areas known for strong currents and active marine life, to prevent similar incidents. Divers are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the PCG's safety guidelines, which can be found on their official website.