The Philippine National Police has ruled out foul play in the deaths of Ateneo de Manila University student-athletes Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili, who drowned during a team-building activity at Hermanos Leisure Farm and Surf Camp in Barangay Libis, Dipaculao, Aurora.
Authorities clarified that the incident occurred at around 2:40 PM on June 8, correcting earlier reports that placed the time at 5:30 PM.
Aurora Police Provincial Director Col. Percival Pineda said in a press conference on Wednesday that the student-athletes were participating in a team activity near the beachfront when they were suddenly caught by strong currents.
“Yun nga po, kahapon nga po, 2:40 ng hapon ay nagsagawa ng team activity ang mga players doon po sa may harap ng beach resort. At base po sa salaysay ng ating mga nakausap na kasamahan nila ay meron po silang activity na kung saan ay lumalakad po yung mga players natin sa dagat, sa mababaw na dagat, hanggang kita po yung lalim ng tubig. At bigla na lang po silang napunta sa mas malayo na parte at bigla silang tinangay ng current papunta po sa mas malayo na lugar ng dagat,” Pineda said.
He added that rescue efforts were immediately carried out by companions and resort lifeguards.
“May mga kasama po sila na tumulong at meron din pong lifeguard ang nasabing resort, at sila po yung tumulong, pero po sa kasamaang palad ay nasawi nga po yung dalawang players natin,” he added.
Police said the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office was alerted at around 3:15 PM, prompting the immediate deployment of PNP personnel, the Philippine Coast Guard, and local responders.
Authorities confirmed that lifeguards were present during the incident and that surfboards were used for rescue operations due to the area being a surfing site.
“Base po sa pakikipag-usap ko personally sa management ng resort, dalawa po yung naka-standby nilang lifeguard. Ang ginagamit po nila diyan ay surfboard kasi mas appropriate na gamitin kasi yung area ay surfing area. Opo, nakatugon naman po sila,” Pineda said.
Officials also noted that the group had been conducting similar activities in the same resort since 2017.
“Opo, kasama po yun sa activity nila. At ito po actually ay may mga series na ng team activity yung grupo na ito. May mga series na po sila, ibig sabihin po hindi lang po ito ngayon lang, may mga nakaraang taon po na may mga activities na sila sa nasabing resort din,” Pineda said.
“Kaya nga po sa tingin po natin ay alam nila yung situwasyon sa lugar na yun kaya po ginagawa nila yung usual na activities nila.”
Based on initial findings and witness accounts, the PNP maintained there is no indication of foul play.
“Yung pamunuan po ng Aurora PPO ay lubos na nalulungkot sa trahedya na nangyari sa aming probinsya. At siyempre po ang aming pakikiramay sa mga kaibigan, kakilala at mga kapamilya ng ating mga nasawing players,” Pineda said.
“So base po sa ating nakuhang salaysay ng mga kasama nila, ito pong insidente na ito ay talaga pong purely accident. Natural accident po yung pangyayari, hindi po talaga inaasahan at wala po tayong nakikitang foul play sa insidente na ito.”
Local authorities said the Dipaculao LGU will conduct a comprehensive inspection of the site to reassess safety measures and prevent similar incidents.
“Ang mga ahensya na dapat tumugon sa mga ganitong pangyayari ay nakikipag-usap sa atin, meron po tayong coordination sa kanila palagi,” Pineda said.
Authorities urged the public to avoid spreading unverified information as investigations continue and the families of the victims mourn their loss.
