Blast ‘killed’ diver
Autopsy: Traumatic injuries in head, trunk compatible with blast
AL Bernard Coyoca, a diving instructor and a father of seven, went with his father Enrico to the latter’s birthplace in Daanbantayan town last Sept. 29.
“His mother told him to come with me so we could have some bonding time,” Enrico said in Cebuano.
But the bonding was cut short, because the next day, Al Bernard died while diving.
He said the autopsy report showed that Al Bernard, 33, may have died from effects of dynamite blast.
Chief Insp. Felina Brunia Jr.,
Last Sept. 30, Al Bernard Coyoca, 33, failed to resurface from his dive in Daanbantayan, only to be found floating lifeless hours later His father believes Al Bernard, a diving instructor, died from the effects of dynamite fishing while he was underwater
medico-legal officer of the Regional Crime Laboratory Office 7, said the cause of death was “traumatic injuries to the head and trunk compatible with blast incidence.”
Past 5 a.m. of Sept. 30, Al Bernard took a dive to explore for the first time the seascape of Daanbantayan.
The town is host of Malapascua, a diver’s haven. But it is also known for dynamite fishing.
A diver for nearly 20 years, he was a freelance diving instructor.
By 7 a.m. or so, Al Bernard had not returned to shore to join his father for breakfast. This began to worry Enrico.
Shortly before noon, Enrico
Wborrowed a pump boat and led the search for his son.
A neighbor later informed the Coyocas about a man floating lifeless in the seawaters off Barangay Paypay.
Enrico’s brother went to the barangay and confirmed that it was Al Bernard.
“My son died because of illegal fishing,” said Enrico, a seaman who was originally scheduled to return to work abroad tomorrow. His trip will have to be postponed next month.
The autopsy result, he said, belied the initial findings that his son drowned.
Enrico said it was impossible for Al Bernard to have difficulty in breathing because his son knew how to swim and the oxygen tank was not empty.
The autopsy was conducted last Monday.
In a phone interview yesterday, Daanbantayan Mayor Augusto Corro asked the town’s police chief to dig deeper into the death of Al Bernard.
“I will exert effort to dig deeper into this... My advocacy is to fight illegal fishing,” he said.
Witnesses told the police that they saw two men throw dynamite into the waters off Paypay.
Investigator PO3 Victor Avenido said they have the identities of the fishermen, but he is withholding their names pending charges.
Complaints for illegal fishing and reckless imprudence resulting in homicide will be filed against the suspects before the Office of the Cebu Provincial Prosecutor in Cebu City.
The complaint will undergo preliminary investigation, during which the prosecutor will require the suspects to submit their affidavits.
Enrico said he will seek justice for his son, who will be buried in a private cemetery in Liloan tomorrow.
He also urged national and local government officials to intensify the campaign against illegal fishers.
“Mahunong na nang illegal fishing, dili lang sa Cebu kon dili sa tibuok nasud (I hope illegal fishing will stop, not only in Cebu but in the whole country),” said Enrico.
“Wa gyuy laing kapaingnan. Madaot ang corals; mahurot ang gagmayng isda. cook and serve the meals also agreed to follow the single set of menu prepared by the PRO 7’s food committee.
“We don’t expect anyone to complain about differences of food served in one place from the other as we are following a common menu,” Lawas said in Cebuano.
He said caterers were also told that breakfast meals should reach the operatives Wa na unya tay pagkaon puhon-puhon (Illegal fishing will lead us to nowhere. The corals will be destroyed; the small fish will vanish. Soon, we will have nothing to eat).”
Corro said they have been conducting talks with the fishermen as part of the town’s educational campaign against illegal fishing.
Just last Wednesday, they met with 12 to 14 fishermen and taught them good practices in fishing.
Aside from training them on responsible fishing, the mayor said the fishermen were also taught how to make products from bamboo and were given lessons on sewing or dress making so they would have an alternative livelihood.
The project is in partnership with National Government agencies.
Corro said the town’s Bantay Dagat and barangay officials have been instructed to look after those engaged in dynamite fishing and other illegal activities.
“This is not only an LGU concern. This is the responsibility of the community as a whole,” he added. time before they convinced Sanchez.
“I think she is the best candidate. She’s very hardworking. She’s so focused on her work. She can serve the third district,” she said.
Davide said they asked Sanchez to run after Geraldine Yapha declined the offer because her supporters in Pinamungajan wanted her to run for mayor again.
Yapha lost to Garcia in 2013 congressional race.
“She really fits. Ang mga requirements nga maayo nga iparang ni (She has the requirements to face) Cong. Garcia,” she said.
In the fourth district, PB Member Joven Mondigo Jr. of One Cebu party shifted to LP recently.
Mondigo will run for mayor in Medellin under LP in the 2016 elections.
He confirmed that he agreed to be part of LP after the leaders invited him last month.
“I talked with Cong. Salimbangon. I told him my intention of running (as mayor),” Mondigo said.
In the same district, PB Member Celestino Martinez III said his brother, Atty. Carlo Martinez, who is the deputy commissioner of National Telecommunications Commission, would probably be the candidate that will run for mayor in Bogo City to replace their father, third-termer Mayor Celestino “Junie” Martinez. before 6 a.m., lunch before 11 a.m. and dinner at 5:30 p.m.
This is to address an earlier complaint that food was sometimes delayed.
Some PRO 7 officials will also randomly visit the food caterers to check how they prepare the meals to ensure the food’s quality, he said.
“We are open. We are transparent in our transactions,” Lawas added.