Ateneo community stages walkout to demand justice for Rene Baterbonia, Divine Adili
Members of the Ateneo community have staged a walkout on Friday, June 19, to demand justice and accountability over the untimely deaths of student-athletes Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili.
Wearing all black, the students gathered at the Zen Garden, holding placards and posters demanding accountability and transparency from the university in the wake of the tragic incident. They could be heard chanting: “Ateneo, do better. Ipahayag natin ang mga panawagan natin para sa katarungan at panangutan lalo na mula sa administrasyon ng ating pamantasan” and “Atenista, walk out na. Hustisya para kay Rene at Divine. Hustisya!”
University student council Sanggunian ng mga Mag-aaral ng mga Paaralang Loyola ng Ateneo de Manila wrote in its post, "Bearing the heavy weight of the sorrow as we grieve the loss of students Rene Clert Baterbonia and Chukwuemeka Divine Adili, the university community will come together in solidarity and support in an academic walk-out and candlelighting,"
"Rooted in love and care, we unite in calls for truth, justice, clarity, and accountability," it added.
The student council called on the university to answer to the community it had failed to protect, while urging greater community involvement and stronger measures to ensure the safety and well-being of students, faculty, and staff.
They urged the university to protect and uplift its student-athletes and community, hold all officials involved accountable through a thorough investigation, and reevaluate and renew institutional leadership.
As shared by student publication The Guidon, graduating students and other members of the Ateneo community were seen wearing black armbands in solidarity with the families of Baterbonia and Adili during the baccalaureate mass and graduation ceremony on June 19.
'We are truly, deeply sorry'
During the baccalaureate mass, ADMU President Fr. Bobby Yap, SJ acknowledged there were “missteps” in dealing with the incident.
"I acknowledge that there have been missteps in handling this painful situation. Our actions have caused anger, confusion, and deep hurt," he said. "The condemnations and the insults that have been directed at us—I do not dismiss them. But let me say that I am deeply sorry for the pain we have caused you. Our intentions were good but they were inadequate. We are learning the hard way and we are committed to make change right."
Baterbonia and Adili were carried away by a rip current while participating in a team-building activity with the rest of their teammates at a resort in Dipaculao, Aurora. Initial findings by the Aurora police have suggested the incident was purely accidental, and ruled out foul play.
Earlier this week, a town hall meeting was held at the Leong Hall Auditorium to address the tragedy. It was attended by Ateneo faculty members, alumni, students, as well as Yap, Vice President for Higher Education Dr. Czarina Saloma-Akpedonu and Vice President for Mission Integration Benjamin Gerardo T. Tolosa Jr.
Yap affirmed that they will take corrective action if any shortcomings are identified.
“If the facts reveal weaknesses in our policies, we will address them. If changes are needed to better safeguard the wellness of our students and athletes, then we will change them,” Yap said.
On Friday, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla revealed that there are some conflicting testimonies of the athletes and coaches. The CIDG is also looking into whether the deaths of the athletes could lead to indictments under the country’s Anti-Hazing Law.
"There are some inconsistencies between what the players said and what the coaches said, pero hindi pa kami tapos so wala pa kaming maibibigay na comment," he told the media outside the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group headquarters in Camp Crame.
Meanwhile, the University Athletic Association of the Philippines has also issued a preemptive ban on all ADMU coaching staff who were present during the tragic incident. It also set a July 15 deadline for the submission of official findings.