Former Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin skips NBI appearance, lawyer says he's 'not in good condition'

Resigned Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin is a no-show again, this time at the National Bureau of Investigation. 

Baldwin's legal counsel Atty. Karl Justeen David said the coach was unable to appear before the NBI due to being unwell.

"He's not in a good condition to appear, so the NBI gave us another setting," he told reporters in an ambush interview on Tuesday, June 16. "So we will try to talk to him if mag-a-appear siya sa next setting."

Despite the non-appearance, David assured Baldwin's cooperation with authorities in their probe of the tragic drowning incident where student-athletes Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili died.

"Coach Tab will fully cooperate with all the investigations ongoing and with all the legal proceedings," he said.

As to his next appearance to the NBI, David had no details to give, "We'll have to take that up with him pa, so we cannot say for certain."

Current ADMU men's basketball team player EJ Kapihe appeared before the NBI on Tuesday to give his statement on the drowning incident in Aurora.

"Although I've only been here a short time, through this very traumatic and nauseating experience, I've gained a family," Kapihe told reporters. "We mourn our fallen brothers, Divine and Rene."

Another coach, Sandro Soriano, failed to appear, as he was undergoing emotional distress, according to his legal counsel Atty. Raymund Rojas. 

"We submitted a certificate from the Ateneo Center for Guidance and Counseling attesting that Coach Sandro Soriano is currently under treatment and experiencing emotional distress," Rojas said.

On June 15, Baldwin and three other ADMU officials did not appear before the police at the PNP-CIDG headquarters in Camp Crame for a fact-finding session despite a subpoena. Only Mr. Em Fernandez, head of the Ateneo Athletics Department, made an appearance according to DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla. 

Remulla said the CIDG will be issuing a second subpoena against the individuals on Friday, June 19, to explain the tragedy, lest the officials be held in contempt.

On June 12, through a video statement, Baldwin offered an apology to the Baterbonia and Adili families, both of whom said an apology was not enough.

Both Baldwin and team manager Epok Quimpo have resigned from their coaching posts.