House resolution seeks probe into death of Ateneo student-athletes
A resolution in the House of Representatives is seeking a probe into the deaths of Ateneo de Manila University student-athletes Rene Clert Baterbonia and Divine Adili, who lost their lives in a drowning incident during a team-building activity.
Pinoy Workers Party-List Rep. Karl Legazpi urged the House Committee on Youth and Sports Development to conduct an inquiry into the adequacy of existing policies, safety standards, and accountability mechanisms governing school-sponsored athletic training camps, team-building activities, and other high-risk programs involving student athletes.
Legazpi noted that the deaths of Adili and Baterbonia prompted public concern regarding safety protocols, supervision, emergency preparedness, and risk management measures during the mentioned activities.
"Educational institutions, athletic organizations, coaches, trainers, and other persons entrusted with the supervision of student-athletes bear the responsibility of ensuring that training activities are conducted in a safe and responsible manner," he wrote.
Meanwhile, in a statement, Senate Committee on Sports Chairman Sen. Bong Go has urged concerned agencies to conduct an immediate investigation into the drowning incident.
According to Aurora Police Provincial Office Acting Director PCol. Percival Pineda, Baterbonia, Adili, and other student-athletes were participating in an activity where they were walking along the beach.
"Hanggang hita po lalim ng tubig, at bigla na lang po silang napunta sa malalim na parte. Doon sa parte na nilalakaran nila, mayroong malalim na lugar. At eto nga po, bigla silang tinangay ng current papunta sa malalim na lugar sa dagat," he said during a June 9 press conference.
In a phone interview with News5, Pineda said four athletes were swept up in the strong current during the activity. Two out of four were revived.
Police have also ruled that Baterbonia and Adili's deaths were purely accidental.
The Philippine Sports Commission has also put together a sports stakesholders' panel aiming to establish a "clear, accurate, and comprehensive understanding of the events that transpired."