An Aurora resort where two Ateneo de Manila University student-athletes tragically drowned during a team-building event has voluntarily halted its operations to give way to an official investigation.
Francisco Zubia III, one of the resort’s co-owners, confirmed that management proactively canceled upcoming bookings and notified current guests of the temporary shutdown to fully cooperate with local and national authorities.
“Okay lang po sa amin. Inunahan na nga po namin sila [local government units] na mag-close dahil…yung mga guest po namin ay amin na pong ininform na may temporary closure po muna kami. Para mag-comply sa ongoing investigation ng local government at ng national government, kaya cinancel po muna namin ang mga booking,” Zubia explained.
“Kaya message po namin sa kanila, hintayin na lang po ang pagbubukas po namin ulit,” he added.
The incident gained national attention on June 8, when Ateneo de Manila University confirmed the deaths of basketball players Divine Adili and Rene Clert Baterbonia. According to preliminary police reports, the two athletes were swept into deeper waters by strong currents while swimming.
Following the incident, local officials reiterated warnings to residents and tourists, urging them to use life jackets or flotation devices due to the known presence of dangerous rip currents in the area.
In response to the tragedy, the Department of Justice has directed the National Bureau of Investigation to form a special task force to lead a comprehensive and impartial probe into the safety lapses and circumstances surrounding the event.