PNP urges schools to coordinate with police in conducting off-campus activities
The Philippine National Police has called on schools to strengthen coordination with authorities when conducting off-campus activities to help prevent accidents and emergencies.
In the wake of the drowning incident that took the lives of Ateneo student-athletes Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili, PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. has urged schools to work more closely with local police units when organizing off-campus activities.
This is so that "proper security assessments, emergency response planning, traffic management, and coordination with rescue and medical services can be undertaken."
"Prevention begins with strong partnership and advance planning," he stressed.
Nartatez emphasized that they will also strengthen coordination with other government agencies, such as the Department of Education and the Commission on Higher Education, to improve safety protocols for school-related activities and ensure that proper guidelines are consistently followed.
"Every tragic incident involving students reminds us that safety must always come first," he said.
Baterbonia and Adili died after being swept away by strong currents during a team-building activity at a resort in Dipaculao, Aurora on June 8.
Authorities earlier classified the incident as an accident, with the Philippine National Police confirming that there was no initial indication of foul play.
However, their Criminal Investigation and Detection Group later recommended the filing of hazing charges against resigned head coach Tab Baldwin and 10 others for violation of RA 11053 or the Anti-Hazing Act.
Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla noted that the law "penalizes those who actually planned or participated in the hazing if, as a consequence of the hazing, death, rape, sodomy, or mutilation results therefrom."
ADMU spokesperson Fr. RB Hizon SJ said they "acknowledge the PNP-CIDG's recommendation and respect the work it has undertaken in the course of its investigation."
For now, the university is observing a 40-day mourning period in honor of the deceased students. During this time, the Ateneo flag is flown at half-mast, daily Masses are held at the college chapel, black cloth is draped on campus fences, and celebratory activities are toned down.