Diver killed in MV Catalyn retrieval operations laid to rest

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) diver who died while taking part in the search-and-retrieval operations for victims of a maritime tragedy off Cavite province was laid to rest on Saturday at Fort Bonifacio's Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City. Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo, PCG commandant, cited the heroism of petty officer 3 Arman Bonifacio who was conferred the Distinguished Coast Guard Cross award. He also received posthumous promotion and burial honors. Bonifacio died last January 8 after suffering decompression sickness while helping retrieve bodies of passengers from the wreckage of MV Catalyn-B, which remains submerged off Limbones Island in Cavite. Tamayo said that aside from burial assistance, Arman's wife, Marabel Bonifacio, will receive six months' worth of gross pay and other benefits from the PCG Mutual Assistance System, PCG Chevron, Philippine Navy Enlisted Personnel Assistance Incorporated, and AFP Mutual Benefits Association Inc. His family will also receive leave benefits in the form of cash equivalent to Bonifacio’s 18 years of dedicated service. Alvin Bernie, Bonifacio's 11-year-old son, could also be granted a scholarship by the PCG, according to Tamayo. - GMANews.TV