THE Aurora Provincial Police Office said on Tuesday the incident in an Ateneo training camp that led to the drowning of Blue Eagles big men Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili in a Dipaculao resort happened 'purely by accident.'
"Base po sa ating nakuhang salaysay, itong insidente na ito ay talagang purely accident," said acting provincial director PCol Percival R. Pineda in a press conference held on Tuesday.
“Natural accident po talaga ang nangyari at sa ngayon, wala po tayong nakikitang foul play sa aksidente na ito."
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The Aurora police released its first detailed report on the tragedy as Ateneo came out with a statement condoling with the family of the victims and expressing full support for an investigation into the incident.
"We trust that the circumstances of this tragedy will be examined fully, and whatever is found will be addressed with honestly and care for the families," Ateneo said in the statement.
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According to the police, the accident happened while the team was conducting an activity at around 2:40 p.m. where the players were walking on thigh-deep and clear water.
“Nasa hanggang hita po ang lalim ng tubig at bigla na lang po silang napunta sa malalim na parte. Yung part po ng nilalakaran nila ay may malalim na bahagi at doon nga po bigla silang tinangay ng current papunta sa mas malalim na bahagi ng dagat,” said Pineda.
“May mga kasama po sila na tumulong at meron din pong lifeguard pero sa kasamaang palad, nasawi nga po ang dalawa."
The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) called the PNP at around 3:15 p.m. and they were able to respond and be on the area at around 5:20 p.m., Pineda said.
Baterbonia and Adili were rushed to a local medical facility but were declared dead on arrival.
The police bared this isn't Ateneo's first time in the area and expected that the team knew its inherent dangers.
"Hindi lang po ito ngayon lang. Sa mga nakaraang taon po, may mga activities na sila sa nasabing resort lang din. Kaya nga po sa tingin po natin ay alam nila yung tikwas na sa lugar na yun kaya po ginagawa nila yung usual na activities nila na ito," said Pineda.
"Alam nila yung mga condition ng dagat at ano yung mga dapat gawin habang may mga activity sa dagat."
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