Rene Baterbonia's mother seeks justice following son's drowning: 'Ang pangarap ng aking anak, winasak nila'
Rovelyn Baterbonia, the mother of 19-year-old Ateneo basketball player Rene Baterbonia, is demanding a thorough investigation into her son's tragic death during a team-building in Dipaculao, Aurora.
In an interview with GMA News and News 5, Rovelyn questioned the circumstances surrounding the incident. She asked why her son was allegedly not rescued in time and why weights were reportedly attached to his arms and feet while he was swimming.
According to Rovelyn, the family was kept in the dark regarding the rigorous nature of the camp. She noted that during the initial orientation, they were never informed about the "military-style" training the athletes would supposedly undergo.
"Kasi kung sinabi pa lang nila, matanong ko na sana, 'kaya mo ba yun?' Para madesisyunan namin. Hindi ko alam bat ganun ang nangyari," she told the media.
She also recalled her son mentioning that they were strictly prohibited from using their cellphones during the training.
The news of Rene's passing came on Monday, June 8 via a text message asking if they could call her.
"Sabi niya 'Ma'am, naaksidente po si Rene. Nalunod po,'" she recalled. "Malaki talagang tanong ko, bat napunta doon sa dagat? Kasi basketball naman yung anak ko, hindi naman swimming."
Rovelyn questioned the safety protocols of the training, asking why no rescue personnel or medics were on standby to assist the athletes. Furthermore, she expressed grief and anger over how the school and staff handled the aftermath, noting that no updates or photos were sent to them, and no staff from Ateneo accompanied her son's body to the funeral home.
"Dami nang mga post pero di pa ko naniniwala kasi di ko pa nakikita yung anak ko," she said.
"Post lang nila na ganyan na yung anak ko, wala na, pero wala talaga sila binigay kahapon na picture na para maprove ko na anak ko ba talaga yun," Rovelyn added. "Hanggang kaninang umaga, na prove ko na na wala talaga yung anak ko."
When asked if she suspects foul play, Rovelyn said yes, pointing out that her son’s body bore bruises all over.
For Rovelyn, her son's future, which she had nurtured since Rene's childhood, was shattered.
"Masakit, sobrang support ko mula bata hanggang ngayon. Tapos ginanon lang nila. Kasi kung alam ko lang na may training sila na ganyan maam, kahit mahirap kami, hindi ko yun ipapahamak yung anak ko talaga. Gusto ko ng justice talaga. Kung anong nangyari, bakit ganun nangyari sa anak ko," she said.
"Isang saglit lang ang pangarap ng aking anak, winasak nila," she lamented. "Ang sakit. Pangarap yan ng mga anak ko. Mahirap kami pero sinusuportahan ko talaga mga anak ko para makapag aral, makapag tapos. Kasi diyan namin hinuhugot sa mga talent nila yung paghihirap namin tapos nauwi lang sa ganun."
Rene and teammate Divine Adili, 21 lost their lives on June 8 while the team was on a team-building trip in Dipaculao, Aurora.
Rene, who hails from Agusan del Sur, led Davao to win its first Palarong Pambansa basketball championship in December 2025. The 6-foot-4 former Ateneo de Davao star was hailed the MVP.
In Palarong Pambansa 2026, Baterbonia and the Davao Eagles placed first runner-up.
He transferred to AdMU and was set to play in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines season 89.
Meanwhile, Adili is a 6-foot-10 Nigerian who competed in UAAP Season 88 with Ateneo Blue Eagles. Back issues nagged the big man, causing him to miss some games last season. His return helped Ateneo bounce back from its five-game losing streak, eventually finishing 6-8.
Police Regional Office 3 in its initial findings said that there was no foul play.
"While the investigation remains ongoing, initial findings indicate that the victims were swimming when they were reportedly carried by a strong current into deeper waters," PRO 3 wrote in a statement.