CIDG recommends homicide, reckless imprudence charges vs. Tab Baldwin, others

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group has recommended filing additional charges against ex Ateneo Blue Eagles head coach Tab Baldwin and other individuals following a team-building incident in Aurora, which claimed the lives of student-athletes Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili.

The cases for two counts of homicide under Article 249 of the Revised Penal Code and two counts of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide under Article 365 were submitted to the Department of Justice's National Prosecution Service. The referral was made for case build-up and evaluation pursuant to DOJ Department Circular No. 20.

According to the CIDG, another individual has been added to the list of respondents for the alleged violation of the Anti-Hazing Act but declined to identify the person while the investigation is underway.

CIDG director Maj. Gen. Robert Alexander Morico said that he met with the Baterbonia family on Tuesday in Camp Crame and briefed them on the findings of the investigation.

“The purpose of the meeting are two things: one, to inform them of the result of our investigation because they have the right to know,” Morico said.

“Second is to assure them that in all stages ng prosecution, if this one goes to trial, the CIDG will be there to continuously follow-up this case,” he added.

Morico said that this is apart from the recommended hazing charges for violation of RA 11053 or the Anti-Hazing Act.

Department of Interior and Local Government Sec. Jonvic Remulla clarified that the recommended hazing charges against Ateneo coaching staff may not include the two student managers and two ball boys who were part of the activity.

They will be excluded as respondents in the case, if it is proven that the student managers and ball boys were unaware of the activity's alleged malicious intent. Instead, they may be turned into witnesses.