Help was sought after a female diver failed to return home and went missing following a dive activity near Pescador Island in Moalboal, Cebu.
Online posts about the disappearance of Aliw-Iw “Iw” Zambrano, a dive instructor, circulated amid the search for her after she went missing at around 9 a.m. on August 21.
An reported notice from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in Southern Cebu dated August 25 stated that a person had gone missing in the vicinity waters off Pescador Island.
It advised mariners, seafarers, dive operators, fishing vessels, recreational boaters, and other watercraft operating within and around the vicinity of the island “to exercise extreme caution, maintain a safe distance from the ongoing search and retrieval operation, and extend full cooperation to the responding Coast Guard personnel.”
“All maritime stakeholders are likewise requested to remain vigilant and immediately report any sighting of a person, body/cadaver, personal effects, diving equipment, or other objects believed to be associated with the missing Diver Instructor,” the PCG notice said.
It also said that those with relevant information may contact the following numbers:
- Coast Guard Station Southern Cebu: 0962-875-9491
- CGSS Moalboal: 0915-490-9152
Social media posts claimed that Zambrano went missing on the western side of Pescador Island after a group dive.
“Please help us find our friend. If you were in or around Pescador Island between August 21-25 and saw anything that may matter, however insignificant it seemed at the time, please contact the authorities,” a post read.
Pescador Island is one of Moalboal’s main diving attractions, known for its deep walls, abundant marine life and majestic caverns that make it popular among divers.
