San Juan, La Union beaches closed

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Beaches in San Juan town in La Union, dubbed as the surfing capital of the North, have been closed to tourists since Wednesday.

Mayor Arturo Valdriz ordered the closure after a 12-year-old boy and his nine-year-old cousin, both residents of Kibungan, Benguet, drowned on a beach in Barangay Taboc on Tuesday.

The victims, who have yet to be identified, were swept away by big waves.

In an amended executive order issued yesterday, Valdriz said surfing is allowed only at the Kahuna Beach Resort and Spa in Barangay Urbiztondo, the lone area declared to be safe for the water activity.