Camarines Sur -- The body of business executive Juan Miguel Vasquez, who died while competing in the Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 Philippines, was flown back to Manila Sunday night aboard a private plane.

Sunrise Events Inc. race director Princess Galura said a group of friends accompanied the body in a 45-minute flight to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport where family members received Vasquez’s remains.

Galura said the original plan was to bring Vasquez’s wife, Judith, to Camarines Sur, but she decided to just wait for the body to arrive in Manila.

“(The body) was not touched because we think it’s up to the family (to determine) what they wanted to do. Everything that we did here was consulted first with Judith,” said Galura.

No other details were provided regarding the cause of death although there were reports that Vasquez drowned during the swimming portion of the Ironman competition.

An investigation is still being conducted.

Vasquez, 52, cousin of Sen. Ma. Ana Consuelo “Jamby” Madrigal and president of the pre-need firm Permanent Plans Inc., reportedly died while making the second loop of the 1.9-kilometer swim leg for Team Alamat in the all-male relay race at the CamSur Watersports Complex.

He was reportedly found unconscious near the shore of the man-made lake of the cable park when teammates decided to look for him after he did not show up for more than an hour to hand his timing chip.

Despite the tragedy, Camarines Sur Gov. Ray Villafuerte said the province will still host the event in the next two years.

The Ironman competition consists of a 1.9km swim, 90km bike and 21.09km run.

“We saw in this race how much it was received by our locals and how many world champions participated. We will definitely host this event for the second and third editions,” said Villafuerte, who expressed his sympathy to the Vasquez family.

Nine world champions joined the event, with Terenzo Bozzone of New Zealand and Lisa Bentley of Canada ruling the men’s and women’s elite divisions, respectively.

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