The Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) is now inspecting the resort in Aurora where two student athletes from the Ateneo de Manila University reportedly died due to drowning, Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino said on Thursday.
‘Right now as I speak, the Dole Region 3 Provincial Office in Aurora is now inspecting the resort where the accident allegedly occurred,’ Tolentino said in a press conference.
Tolentino said that Dole officers will assess the safety signages and training of safety officers and lifeguards. He noted that all of these measures are mandated under the agency.
Tolentino then shared that he received information that the resort voluntarily closed, adding that the Dole officers also went to the resort to verify the information.
However, he said that he will not yet issue a work stoppage order to the resort.
‘It will now depend on the findings of our inspection,’ Tolentino added.
In the same press conference, he announced that he issued a subpoena against Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) men’s basketball team coach Tab Baldwin to appear before him on Monday.
He said that this is for Baldwin to present his proof of valid working permit as a foreign national in the country and for him to explain the incidents that happened on June 8 during the team building activity.
He then warned that failure to comply with the summons or if the Dole finds out that he is working without a valid alien employment permit (AEP) or if his AEP does not cover the full scope of his activities:
Cancellation of suspension of his AEP
Referral of results to the Bureau of Immigration for actions, including possible deportation proceedings
Assessment of administrative penalties against ADMU as his employing institution for failure to ensure the validity of his foreign working permits
Filing of appropriate charges for violating the Labor Code
A drowning incident during a team building in Aurora province on Monday claimed the lives of Blue Eagles basketball team members Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili. Acting Aurora provincial police director said that it was an accident and did not involve any foul play.