MAKILALA, North Cotabato — Grief has turned into anger across a shaken community following the tragic drowning of a young student, Jhonpee Tajantajan, at a private resort in Barangay Kisante on March 30, 2026—an incident that has ignited serious questions over safety lapses and accountability.
Jhonpee, a student of Notre Dame of Makilala, was found lifeless at the bottom of a swimming pool inside Le Rêve Swimming Resort after reportedly going missing for hours while with classmates. According to accounts relayed by parents and community members, the boy had been searched frantically before his body was eventually discovered submerged in the deeper section of the pool.
One of his classmates, identified as Sean, reportedly found Jhonpee underwater and rushed to pull him out. Despite desperate attempts to revive him, it was already too late. By then, it had been nearly three hours since he was last seen alive.
The tragedy has sparked widespread outrage, particularly after allegations surfaced that no lifeguard was on duty at the time of the incident—an omission many say is inexcusable for any swimming facility.
“For a resort, lifeguards are not optional—they are a basic requirement,” one concerned parent said, echoing the growing frustration among families.
Community Outcry Intensifies
The pain of loss has been compounded by what many described as the resort management’s “insensitive” response. Just days after the incident, Le Rêve Swimming Resort posted on social media announcing its reopening, drawing backlash from residents and netizens alike.
In a strongly worded open letter, a community member, Jan Marie Rendon, condemned the move:
“It has ONLY been a few days since a young boy’s life was taken, and yet this is what you chose to post. Instead of acknowledgment, there was promotion. Instead of sympathy, there was silence.”
The letter further claimed that this was not the first such incident at the resort, raising alarming concerns about a pattern of negligence and the apparent lack of accountability.
School, Family Urge Respect and Dignity
In a statement, Notre Dame of Makilala expressed deep sorrow over the loss of their student and appealed to the public to stop circulating a video related to the incident, calling it a violation of privacy that only deepens the family’s suffering.
“At this time, let us choose kindness, dignity, and silence over viral content,” the school said, urging people to take down and report any copies of the footage.
Meanwhile, the victim’s family pushed back against online speculation and victim-blaming. In an emotional post, a cousin described Jhonpee as a kind-hearted boy who brought warmth and joy to those around him.
“Please don’t assume things about someone you never truly knew… He was a good person, loved by his family and friends,” the post read.
The family also condemned individuals who used the tragedy to promote swimming lessons or push unfounded narratives, stressing that Jhonpee knew how to swim and that the issue at hand is safety—not blame.
Demand for Accountability
Residents and parents are now calling for stricter enforcement of safety regulations in private resorts, including mandatory lifeguard presence and emergency response readiness.
“This is not just about one life lost—it’s about preventing the next tragedy,” another resident said.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the resort’s management to determine possible lapses and whether legal action is warranted.
A Life Remembered, A Community in Mourning
As candles are lit and tributes continue to pour in, the memory of Jhonpee Tajantajan remains vivid among those who knew him—not as a victim, but as a joyful young life cut tragically short.
Behind the calls for justice is a grieving family, holding on to memories they can never replace—and a community demanding answers so that no other child suffers the same fate.