The Manila Times

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NBI to investigate drowning of 2 Ateneo varsity players

THE Department of Justice (DOJ) has ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Wednesday to form a special task force to determine whether criminal liability may be pursued in the drowning of two members of the Ateneo de Manila University men’s basketball team during a team-building activity in Aurora province. The DOJ said the NBI Central Office was instructed to conduct a “thorough, comprehensive and impartial” investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of rookie players Rene Clert Baterbonia, 19, and Divine Adili, 21. The task force will evaluate evidence and testimonies to establish whether there is sufficient basis to recommend the filing of charges before the DOJ. Authorities said the probe would focus on determining accountability, if any, arising from the June 8 incident in Dipaculao town. “The Department of Justice takes note of the tragic drowning incident... The NBI will determine whether there is sufficient legal basis to recommend the filing of criminal charges,” DOJ spokesman Polo Martinez said. Parallel inquiries have been initiated following the deaths, as authorities continue to examine how the two student-athletes drowned while participating in a team activity. Based on initial police findings, Aurora provincial police director Col. Percival Pineda said there was no indication of foul play. He said the athletes were wading in the waters off Barangay Lipit, near the Hermanos Leisure Farm and Surf Camp, when they were swept away by strong currents. Police earlier described the incident as an accident, noting that sudden water movement likely caused the drowning. Ateneo de Manila University confirmed the deaths on June 9, saying Baterbonia and Adili were part of the men’s basketball program and had joined the team-building activity when the incident occurred. The university said Baterbonia’s remains were brought to Arlington Memorial Chapels and Crematory in Quezon City, while Adili’s remains were being prepared for repatriation to Nigeria. At the request of Baterbonia’s family, an autopsy will be conducted on his remains. The university also said members of the men’s basketball team will undergo psychological processing and counseling sessions following the incident. At the wake of her son, Baterbonia’s mother said that she has not thought of filing a case against the university. “At the moment, I have not thought of that, because what I’m thinking of is how to bring home my son,” she said in a mix of Filipino and Cebuano. Mrs. Baterbonia said she is thinking of bringing her son home to Agusan del Sur or Davao. Also, she was told that officials of the university apologized to her over the loss of Rene, but said that will not bring her son back. “They told me it was an accident and then they apologized, but what I told them was my son will neither come back nor live from your apologies. Just give me a clear explanation, so I can accept that it was really an accident,” Mrs. Baterbonia said. Restraint Several lawmakers have called for “restraint” in discussing the drowning of the two Ateneo de Manila University basketball players while also calling for a more thorough investigation by authorities. In a statement, Bagong Henerasyon Partylist Rep. Robert Nazal said that as an Ateneo alumnus, he is “grieving” alongside their families, teammates, friends, coaches and the entire Ateneo community. He said he trusts the Ateneo, guided by its Jesuit tradition of service, compassion and respect for human dignity, “will continue to stand by the families and ensure that the circumstances surrounding this tragedy are examined thoroughly, fairly and transparently.” “The truth must be established with honesty, accountability and care for those most affected,” he said. He called on the public to “exercise restraint and responsibility in discussing this tragedy” as speculation, rumors and unverified information do not help uncover the truth, nor do they ease the suffering of those who are mourning and they instead risk adding to the burden already being carried by the families. Manila Rep. Joel Chua has called for the NBI to conduct a parallel probe over the incident. In a statement, Chua said that the deaths of two young athletes with bright futures ahead of them demand answers. “Their families deserve the truth. The Filipino people deserve the truth,” Chua added. He urged the NBI to conduct a full forensic investigation into the incident and establish a clear timeline of events leading to the deaths, noting that they have some of the most experienced forensic and fact-finding investigators in the country. “They must establish a clear timeline of events and determine exactly what happened, who made the decisions, what activities were conducted, what safety measures were in place and whether established protocols were followed.” On Tuesday, Pinoy Workers Partylist Rep. Karl Legazpi said that he would file a House resolution urging the House Committee on Youth and Sports Development to conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, “on the adequacy of existing policies, safety standards and accountability mechanisms governing school-sponsored athletic programs, with the end in view of strengthening the protection and welfare of student-athletes.” “The goal is not merely to determine the circumstances surrounding this incident, but to ensure that no other family has to endure the same pain. If such a tragedy can happen in one of the country’s most respected educational institutions, then it is incumbent upon us to examine whether sufficient protections exist for student-athletes nationwide,” Legazpi said. Groups led by the Student Council Alliance of the Philippines (SCAP) and Akbayan Youth on Tuesday joined the Sanggunian ng mga Mag-aaral ng mga Paaralang Loyola ng Ateneo de Manila, Buklod Atenista, along with the broader community of the Ateneo de Manila University, in grieving the deaths of Baterbonia and Adili. SCAP and Akbayan Youth called on the university’s administration to fully cooperate with the process and to provide the bereaved families “with timely information, support and assistance throughout this difficult period.” “As the community continues to seek answers, SCAP and Akbayan Youth join the calls of the bereaved families for a thorough, transparent and independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding this tragedy. The truth must be uncovered, accountability must be ensured where warranted and justice must be pursued,” the groups said in a statement on Tuesday night. They also called on the panel of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), the University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP), the National Youth Commission and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to “review all internal mechanisms within the University and the UAAP, assess their sufficiency and effectiveness, identify their lapses and provide recommendations that will ensure that such incidents never happen again and that the league remains a safe space for its players, coaches and their families.” “Those found liable for this untoward incident must be fully prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and in accordance with the administrative guidelines set forth by the UAAP, CHED, PSC and other regulatory bodies. There should be no sacred cows,” the groups said.

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