Philippines Opens Investigation Into Drowning of Two Student-Athletes on a School Trip
The National Bureau of Investigation formed a task force to examine the June 8 drowning of two Ateneo student-athletes during a school-sanctioned team-building activity. Officials said the probe will assess whether hazards were properly evaluated and safety measures were in place.
manilatimes.netThe National Bureau of Investigation said Thursday it will investigate the drowning deaths of two Ateneo de Manila University student-athletes during a team-building activity earlier this week. The two players, ages 19 and 21, were swept away by strong currents while walking in thigh-deep water in Dipaculao, Aurora province, on Monday, June 8.
Local police initially reported no signs of foul play.
NBI forms task force The NBI said it created a task force to determine whether criminal liability exists even without foul play, citing possible failures in oversight or safety precautions. "An event may be 'accidental' in the sense that no one wished it, and yet remain the product of a failure to exercise the care the law demands," the NBI stated.
The agency said the inquiry will examine whether hazards and sea conditions were assessed, whether safeguards and supervision were adequate, and whether any duty was breached.
Ateneo places coach and manager on leave Ateneo announced that men's basketball coach Tab Baldwin and team manager Epok Quimpo are on leave while the university conducts its own probe. The school said the leave is intended to allow all participants to cooperate freely without any actual or perceived pressure.
Other agencies respond The Philippine Sports Commission said it will form a multi-stakeholder panel to support the investigation. The University Athletic Association of the Philippines said it will wait for official reports before considering sanctions.
>"A prestigious institution is neither shielded by its stature nor singled out because of it.
