Aurora resort shut after Ateneo cagers Baterbonia, Adili die in drowning

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MANILA, Philippines — The Municipal Government of Dipaculao, Aurora has ordered the temporary closure of a resort in connection with the drowning of two Ateneo Blue Eagles student-athletes earlier this month.

The closure order was served on Hermanos Leisure and Farm Resort following the June 8 incident that killed incoming rookie Rene Clert Baterbonia and Nigerian import Chukwuemeka Divine Adili.

The order was implemented after Mayor Danilo Tolentino directed a team composed of the Business Permits and Licensing Office, Municipal Tourism Office, Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and the Philippine Coast Guard to conduct a comprehensive inspection of the establishment.

Based on the assessment, the LGU said the resort failed to comply with provisions under Sangguniang Bayan Ordinance No. 2025-12, or “An Ordinance Promoting Safety in Seashores and Other Bodies of Water, Including Tourist Destinations, within the Jurisdiction of the Municipality of Dipaculao, Aurora.”

The LGU did not specify the exact violations.

The closure comes as police earlier said the Ateneo men’s basketball team allegedly declined supervision during the activity and moved away from the resort front.

Aurora police director Col. Percival Pineda said the group had gone about 300 meters from the resort and “asked to be alone” during their team-building activity at the coastal area of Barangay Lipit.

He also said the group allegedly conducted a waist-deep water activity parallel to the shoreline, where four members were swept by a strong current around 2:40 p.m. on June 8.

The victims were retrieved after about 30 to 40 minutes and were given first aid before being rushed to a medical facility, where Baterbonia and Adili were declared dead.

Police said the resort had safety signage and a lifeguard stationed at the front, and that the group had been advised on sea conditions. However, authorities noted that the activity was not coordinated with the local government unit.

Authorities have ruled out foul play based on statements from resort staff, lifeguards, coaching personnel and disaster response officials, though separate investigations are ongoing by the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and the National Bureau of Investigation.

The LGU said the closure order is part of its continuing effort to enforce safety regulations in tourism establishments and bodies of water.

Ang pagpapatupad ng nabanggit na Temporary Closure Order ay bahagi ng patuloy na pagsisikap ng Pamahalaang Bayan na tiyakin ang kaligtasan ng publiko at ang mahigpit na pagpapatupad ng mga umiiral na batas at ordinansa sa mga establisyimentong may kaugnayan sa turismo at mga aktibidad sa mga anyong-tubig," the statement read.

(The implementation of the Temporary Closure Order is part of the continuing efforts of the municipal government to ensure public safety and the strict enforcement of existing laws and ordinances governing tourism establishments and activities in bodies of water.)

The local government also expressed condolences to the families of the victims.

"Nagpapaabot ng taos-pusong pakikiramay ang Pamahalaang Bayan ng Dipaculao sa mga pamilya at mahal sa buhay ng mga nasawi sa naturang trahedya."

(The Municipal Government of Dipaculao extends its deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those who died in the said tragedy.)

Adili’s family has requested an autopsy before arrangements for repatriation to Nigeria are finalized, according to the Nigerian Embassy in Manila.

Baterbonia’s post-mortem certificate showed he died of asphyxia due to drowning, while authorities have yet to release Adili’s death certificate.