The Lapu-Lapu City Government has ordered a cottage rental business in Olango Island to stop operating following an incident that killed a 43-year-old female guest.

Mayor Junard Chan went to the island on July 21, 2024 to check on the business concerned.

Based on police investigation, the female guest from Cagayan de Oro City tried a water activity referred to as the “jumping balloon.” The activity involved the woman sitting on one end of an inflatable water bob with a staffer of the cottage jumping on the other end from a wooden tower.  

In normal circumstances, the jump would send the woman into the sky so she would land in the sea but this was not what happened. Instead of landing in the water, the woman landed back on the blob, head first, before she fell into the water.

This left her unconscious and when people on site noticed she was no longer moving, she was pulled out of the water immediately and brought to the hospital.

The incident happened on July 11, 2024 and the woman passed away eight days later on July 19.

According to the Lapu-Lapu City Police, the death certificate indicates spinal injury as cause of death.

COTTAGE STATEMENT

According to the caretaker and manager of the cottage, they give their guests specific instructions on how they should position themselves on the water bob so they would land in the water when they are flipped into the sky.

Only when the guest says he or she is ready when the cottage staffer jumps on the other end of the blob.

The guests are also made to sign a waiver.

The business has a permit but did not get a permit from MARINA reportedly because it was not using anything mechanical.

The caretaker said they would shoulder all expenses at the hospital.

CITY RECOMMENDATION

Garry Lao, the new tourism officer of Lapu-Lapu City, said they have recommended for the cottage rental to stop operating while investigation into the incident is ongoing and assessment of the water activity is being conducted.

The cease and desist order was served afternoon on July 21, 2024.

“As a result of the incident in your establishment that resulted to a loss of a life, you are hereby ordered to cease and desist from further operations effective immediately… all other permits issued in relation to the conduct of your business are likewise suspended,” the order reads.

P/Lt. Col. Christian Torres, spokesperson of the LLCPO, said they will await the decision of the woman's husband on whether or not the family will file charges.