Mother of Ateneo student-athlete seeks answers to son’s death, wants justice

The Manila Times

Mother of Ateneo student-athlete seeks answers to son’s death, wants justice

MANILA, Philippines — Rovelyn Baterbonia arrived in Manila on Tuesday seeking answers after her son, Rene, died during a team-building activity at Ateneo de Manila University in Aurora yesterday. In a statement released by Ateneo, Rene, 19, and Divine Adili, 21, died during a team-building activity in Aurora, but Rovelyn’s statement says otherwise, as she claimed that her son asked permission for a week-long training in Baler. “They didn’t say anything about that type of training. If only I learned about that type of intensity of that ‘training,’ I would ask my son if he can do it, so that we can have a talk and decide about it,” Rovelyn told the media at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 2. “I really don’t know why that happened. He (Rene) just texted me and said, ‘Mom, I will not have my phone on me for a week, since we have a training in Baler,’ I told him to take care, and look after his body.” “I thought it was just a training, not military training.” Rene, a 2025 Palarong Pambansa Most Valuable Player (MVP) of Davao, dreamt of taking his family out of poverty when he chose to play for the Ateneo Blue Eagles. After Davao’s silver finish in the 2026 Palarong Pambansa last May 24 to 31, Rene flew to Manila and was just one week in with the Blue Eagles. “If I only knew that they have that type of training, I don’t care even if we are poor… I will not allow my son,” Rovelyn shared. “Why did they go there with no rescue?” she stressed. Rovelyn also shared that Ateneo has not communicated with her since learning his son’s death. “They didn’t even send me his picture. What is a simple, ‘Ma’am, here’s your son, we are sending him back in Manila,’ there’s nothing, I received nothing. Last night was the only night that I saw a picture of my son, and I got that photo online.”

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