BEIJING: Palau authorities are investigating an alleged underwater attack by a South Korean divemaster on Taiwanese musician Devon Song and his Bangladeshi divemaster.
Song, a member of the music group Nan Quan Mama, posted on social media that he and his divemaster, Sobuj Patwary, were attacked by a South Korean divemaster known as “Romeo”.
Song said they were diving at Siaes Corner, a popular site west of Koror, when Romeo suddenly charged at them from below, about 25 metres underwater.
Romeo allegedly punched Song’s diving mask and tried to remove it, but Song managed to fend him off.
Patwary stepped in to stop Romeo, who then allegedly tried to tear off Patwary’s mask and fins and remove his breathing regulator from behind.
L. J., a Chinese staff member at the diving centre where Patwary works, said Patwary “choked on water many times” while trying to retrieve his rebreather. Another client escorted him back to shore.
Song described the incident as a “murder” and said Patwary was nearly killed.
The musician also posted video footage of the incident.
Patwary later confirmed Song’s account in a social media post. He stressed that dive guides in Palau have a responsibility to “ensure that every diver returns safely to the surface”.
Romeo, who runs another diving centre in Palau, later posted a statement claiming that Song and Patwary’s group had entered his team’s dive site and ignored their gestures to leave.
Romeo also claimed that Patwary attacked him first and that he had acted only in self-defence.
Song strongly denied Romeo’s account, calling it a “lie” and insisting that they “made absolutely no resistance underwater”. He also asked: “Even if someone intruded on your site, would you need to attack them underwater?”
L. J. said the group was at least 20 metres away from Romeo’s team and had not entered their area. She also claimed that this was not the first time Romeo had behaved similarly.
Song said Romeo’s party had offered to settle the matter privately, but he was determined to seek justice. “His presence underwater would jeopardise other people’s lives. Any aggressive actions underwater are unacceptable,” he said.
Song, who has 25 years of diving experience, said he had never witnessed “such outrageous behaviour”. He also thanked Patwary for protecting him from what he described as life-threatening danger.
The case went viral after Song posted about it. Nan Quan Mama debuted in 2004 with the support of Mandopop star Jay Chou. Song also wrote lyrics for several of Chou’s well-known songs, including Maple Leaf and Step Aside.
Song and Patwary’s diving centre reported the incident to local police.
On October 12, Palau’s Bureau of Tourism and the Koror State Government issued a joint statement saying they were investigating the case.
They also said that the individuals involved had been suspended from diving and conducting tourism-related activities pending the outcome of the investigation. The authorities added that they were “committed to protecting visitors” and “supporting responsible tourism operations”.
The case sparked heated discussion online.
“I suppose there might be another side to the story, but that still doesn’t justify this action,” one commenter wrote.
“Imagine your dive guide being attacked and left without fins, a mask or a regulator in an area known for strong currents. This could have seriously endangered the entire group,” another wrote. - South China Morning Post
