“I am committed to the repatriation of his remains [to the Philippines],” former Corrections Commissioner Lino S. Tenorio said in an interview with the Variety.
“Ronnie was a very good and a hardworking employee. He was excellent in bottom-fishing, trolling, and in diving,” Tenorio said.
Department of Public Safety acting spokesman PO2 Jason Tarkong said in an e-mail to the Variety: “This case is under investigation. The release of any information will be made available once cleared by the investigating unit and the [DPS] commissioner’s office.”
Tarkong said Sgt. Bernard Santos of the department’s boating safety office was informed by the U.S. Coast Guard at 10 a.m. on Wednesday about a man who died in a scuba diving incident.
Tarkong said investigation by Officer Elias Saralu showed that the victim went scuba diving outside the reef in Tanapag Lagoon at about 10 p.m., Tuesday.
“After two dives the victim was complaining of a headache and showing symptoms of decompression sickness,” Tarkong said.
At about 12:50 a.m., Wednesday, the victim was transported by his dive partner to the Commonwealth Health Center emergency room where he was pronounced dead.
