Photo credit: AFP

In a joint effort between the United States and the Philippines, two sites of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) were utilized as staging areas to aid in the search and rescue operations for four missing Filipino divers in Tubbataha Reef.

The responsive inter-agency operation was carried out at the request of the Philippine government.
The operation was launched after the Philippine Navy vessel BRP Carlos Albert (PC-375) was deployed by the AFP Western Command (WESCOM) in response to information about the sinking of a dive boat, M/Y Dream Keeper, in the area.

Two aluminum boats of the Tubbataha Reef National Park (TRNP) were immediately dispatched to join the search and rescue operations conducted by two other dive boats, M/Y Monsy and M/V Sport Palau.

To aid in the search and rescue operations, three U.S. air assets stationed in Antonio Bautista Air Base, Puerto Princesa, and Benito Ebuen Air Base in Mactan, Cebu were utilized. The air assets include two U.S. Navy MH-60R Seahawk helicopters and a U.S. Air Force MC-130H Combat Talon II aircraft.

The U.S. and Philippine forces worked together to coordinate the SAR operations utilizing the EDCA locations. The joint effort highlights the strong partnership between the two nations in ensuring the safety and security of the Philippine waters.
The search and rescue operations are ongoing, and both the U.S. and Philippine forces remain committed to finding the missing divers.