GENERAL SANTOS City – Misamis Oriental athletes were involved in a fatal road accident in South Cotabato just one day before the opening of the 2025 Batang Pinoy National Championships, leaving two people dead.
Rosuette Sweet Colastre, the acting provincial sports head of Misamis Oriental, confirmed the involvement of the province’s athletes but emphasized they traveled outside of the official delegation.
“Yes, we have athletes from the province involved, though they came here at their own risk without proper coordination,” Colastre told Gold Star Daily in a recent interview.
The incident occurred around 10 pm along the road in Barangay Mangilala, Tantangan, South Cotabato. Sketchy reports indicate a private car carrying three Batang Pinoy players rammed into another vehicle.
The collision resulted in the deaths of two newly-graduated Criminology students in the other vehicle.
The athletes from Villanueva, Misamis Oriental, along with two teachers and a medical doctor, incurred injuries. Bombo Radyo Gensan reported the mishap but did not immediately release identities.
The driver of the athletes’ car, who hails from Balingasag, Misamis Oriental, was temporarily detained following the crash.
Colastre recalled her shock upon hearing the news.
“Nakurat na lang ko kay nanawag ang staff sa Gensan City Information Office regarding the incident,” she said.
Fortunately, Colastre said the athletes only sustained minor injuries, with one still able to compete in the athletics event of the weeklong competition.
She provided further details on the group's composition: “Ang driver taga Balingasag, ang duha ka athletes from Villanueva, ilang friend lang ang ika tulo ka athlete from other place nga ilang nasabay.”
Despite the incident and the conclusion of the games, Colastre noted that the Villanueva athletes and their coaches failed to coordinate with or inform Misamis Oriental team officials about their participation and current condition.
“Nag kanya-kanya ilang grupo lahi sila sa among lakaw kay wala gyod sila nag-coordinate,” added Colastre, who noted that the official Misamis Oriental delegation of over 200 members traveled with a meager budget of P350,000 from the provincial government under the new Governor Juliette Uy.
