GOVERNMENT troops and civilian volunteers will be joining the search and rescue operations for the diver who went missing in the Tubbataha Reef in Palawan.

The government troops who will take part in the said operations will include personnel from the Philippine Navy, Philippine Air Force and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

"Wescom, in coordination with various stakeholders, will continue conducting the joint search and rescue operations despite inclement weather," the Western Command (Wescom) said in a statement on Thursday, June 5.

"Naval vessels and aircraft of this command are currently being used in the area. As of this date, the missing diver has not yet been located," it added.

Brian Nazareno went missing on Monday, June 3, after diving with his group in Amos Rock, Tubbataha Reef.

The military will be using the BRP Ramon Alcaraz, one of the Navy’s biggest ships for the said operations.

The Western Command said the UNTV also pledged to lend their underwater drone for search and rescue operation while Palawan Governor Jose Alvarez has lent his airplane. (SunStar Philippines)