The Police in the Water

CEBU, Philippines - The day started early for me. It was a great day to dive – the weather was just perfect. And so I headed off to Mactan Island.

While driving through the Marcelo Fernan Bridge, the ocean caught my eyes. It beamed. The sight of the waves and the sweet smell of the sea seemed to beckon me. 

Scuba diving has become a part of me and for the rest of my life.  I didn’t know I had so much passion for the ocean, so I became a Scuba Diving Instructor and I realized it is even more meaningful. I felt a push inside me; I couldn’t wait.

It was such an honor for me to have been given the rare privilege to be part of a team to teach uniformed men how to dive. The men of the Regional Maritime Unit 7 (RMU7), the Cebu Provincial Police Office (CCPO), the Philippine National Police Special Weapons and Tactics (PNP/SWAT), and the Lapu-Lapu Police Office (LCPO) Task Force Kalikasan wanted to have their Open Water Diver License from Confederation Mondiale des Activities Subaquatiques (C.M.A.S), one of the oldest scuba diving certification agencies. Everyone were training under the keen watch of Sir Emi Bonghanoy, CMAS Scuba Diving Course Director for Visayas and Mindanao.

“The Conquerors” of RMU7

I was at first hesitant about this group. The guys looked very masculine and stiff; I doubted if they could lithely glide underwater.  And I wished they understood that everything in scuba diving was like slow-motion, unlike their job where speed is a value.

But considering the group’s slogan “By Sea and Land We Conquer,” I hoped the guys would be up to the challenge and would prove themselves accordingly. On a positive note, at least they were all excited.

The muscled men acted like grade-school kids on their first day of training. Everyone tried to match the color of their fins and masks, and even asked if they could choose their dive buddies. Of course, they could. But as men known for discipline and obedience, I thought it better to assign buddies and for them just to abide by it. After all, no buddy can save a diver’s life.

RMU7 Regional Executive Police Officer SPO4 Roberto Pernito himself was very eager to learn to dive. The strong currents, though, initially concerned him. But as soon as he was already underwater, he claimed to have found a different kind of peace and serenity. The officer is 55 years old and retiring by next year.

Deputy Regional Chief for Maritime Unit and 70Ist Maritime Police Station Chief P/Supt. Alvin Gumacal, a meticulous man and a perfectionist, was already a certified CMAS one-star diver. He told me a funny story of the first time he went diving. He was bold enough to admit not being able to descend, because he got scared he would die underwater. I burst into laughter hearing it – a tough man scared of the water!

But P/Supt. Gumacal was determined to pursue scuba diving, inspired by the beauty of the world under the sea and a desire to help take care of the marine environment. He wanted to become a deep diver, and signed himself up for further training.

“A Perfect Giant Stride!” – SWAT/Special Reaction Unit

On heading towards Hilutungan Island, I was in my rash guard given by PC/Insp Rey Geolin of SWAT/SRU and his men. It had the police logo on it, and was quite an honor for me to have. Naturally, I was grateful too.

Reaching the right spot, we geared up, buddy-checked – and off we jumped with a giant stride! The lesson emphasized was to make a big step while looking at the horizon before plunging into the water. Visibility was not so good; there was no current, but the corals that met our eyes were excellent. Hilutungan was a diver’s haven with large fishes and beautiful corals.  

I was having a slight headache when we were surfacing, and had difficulty equalizing. As remedy, I ascended to a few feet below the surface, and I descended again; and equalized by pinching my nose and blowing gently through the mouth. The men learned buoyancy and equalization technique. The group was headed by Col. Rey Garcia, Sir Geolin, Sir Ian, Sir Chu, Sir Tisoy, Sir Leo and Sir Sammy.

“Divers on the Loose” – CPPO

Everyone got onboard and geared-up, as they were told.  There was to be a written examination, aside from the practical test. Every diver should be competent in theory to go with his skills underwater.

At the end of the day, Sir Emi was shouting with excitement, “I love this game!” It’s my first time to hear him so exuberantly saying the words. Everybody yelled in jubilation, too; what with their buoyancy being nearly perfect.

The next day we headed for Talima Marine Sanctuary. The weather is not ideal; visibility was poor and I couldn’t get nice pictures with my underwater camera. A little disappointing; I enjoyed the dive, nevertheless. Talima Sancutary had lots of corals and fishes.

One trainee had improved the most –  SPO1 Analiza Comaling. And so did PS/Supt Louie Oppus, P/Supt Rodolfo Albotra Jr., P/Supt Marvin Sanchez, P/Supt Arnel Banzon and Sir Choi Cuison.  They were certified as professional divers.  

“The Promising Scuba Divers” – CPPO Operations Department

The group consisted of fast learners who were easy to handle. Yet as days went by my heart sank with sadness as the trainees began to lag behind. Fortunately, on their fourth session they surprised me as they managed to pull themselves together! They were so graceful underwater and showed proper skills. It made my day!

“The Drifters” – LCPO Task Force Kalikasan

The training was held at Punta Engano, headed by P/Supt Virgil T. Ranes and SPO1 Kent Lisen. The currents were too strong along the Lapulapu coastline. The man of few words and very soft spoken P/Supt Ranes was already a certified diver and wanted to practice his skills. The CMAS Openwater Diver Course was mainly for his men, namely PO3 Cerelo Luage, PO2 Christopher Lim, PO2 Christian Ando, PO1 Saturnino Inoc, PO1 Neil Solana and PO3 Antonio Inihao Jr.

The dive site had so many sea urchins and rocks, which I thought would hinder the trainees’ performance in water skills. Instead, it turned out to be the reason why everyone perfected their buoyancy quickly and precisely – because they didn’t want their feet on the sea urchins!  

We then transferred to Ambucan Point in Marigondon area, for drift diving. As always, it amazed me how time seems to pass so swiftly when the diver is drifting with the current. But the trainees were quite divided on the experience. In trying to manage with the current, some were complaining, while the others were thrilled.

Overall, getting the police in the water is a fulfilling task for me. And may the experience make them great law enforcers – on land and at sea!