A beach resort in Barangay Buenavista, Tandag City, Surigao del Sur has been ordered closed temporarily after a foreigner drowned over the weekend.

Tandag City Mayor Roxanne Pimentel issued an executive order for the immediate temporary closure of the beach resort pending investigation, safety verification, and determination of regulatory compliance.

Based on reports, a foreign national drowned while swimming at the beach resort on February 13, 2026. The victim’s body was retrieved the next day.

Authorities said that the sea current at that time was strong, posing hazardous swimming conditions, based on initial investigation.

“The involvement of a foreign national necessitates appropriate coordination with relevant national government agencies to ensure proper investigation, documentation, consular notification, maritime safety review, and adherence to applicable legal and diplomatic protocols,” reads part of the order.

The local government said a preventive temporary closure of establishments posing potential public safety risks is a valid exercise of local police power.

Authorities have created a joint inspection team to investigate the incident.

The team is composed of personnel from the Business Permits and Licensing Division and City Tourism Division of the City Mayor’s Office, Tandag City Police Station, City Health Office, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), and Barangay Buenavista officials.

“There is a need to constitute a joint technical and regulatory inspection body to ensure a comprehensive, coordinated, and properly documented investigation and safety assessment,” the order added.

The order said that the resort’s operations will only resume once the investigation is completed, compliance with safety, regulatory, sanitation, and operational requirements are verified, and the clearance from the city government is issued.