Family requests autopsy for Ateneo athlete Divine Adili before repatriation to Nigeria
The Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the Philippines said that the family of Divine Adili has requested that an autopsy be conducted before his remains are repatriated to Nigeria.
Adili, 21, was one of two members of the Ateneo de Manila University's men's basketball team who passed away in a drowning incident on June 8 in Dipaculao, Aurora. He lost his life along with teammate Rene Baterbonia, 19.
"The family has requested that an autopsy be conducted before arrangements for the repatriation of Mr. Adili's remains to Nigeria are finalized. The Embassy is providing all necessary consular assistance and support in this regard," the embassy said in a statement released on June 10.
Referring to Adili by his full name, Chukwuemeka Divine Adili, the embassy extended its condolences to his "family, friends, colleagues, and the entire Nigerian community mourning this painful loss," as well as to Baterbonia's family.
In its statement, the embassy wrote Nigerian officials in the country are aware of the public interest in the tragic incident. It assured its citizens that "relevant Philippine authorities have commenced investigations, while other stakeholders are likewise reviewing the circumstances leading to the tragedy."
While the embassy said it had not received information implying foul play, it maintained its full support for "all legitimate efforts aimed at establishing the facts and ensuring transparency in the investigative process."
Through it all, the embassy assured the public it is in direct contact with Adili's family, AdMU, law enforcement agencies, and other authorities connected to the investigation of the incident.
Concluding its statement, the embassy asked the Nigerian community in the Philippines to "remain calm, avoid speculation, and refrain from circulating unverified information on social media."
In the afternoon of June 8, Adili and Baterbonia lost their lives in a drowning incident while on a team-building trip with the rest of AdMU's men's basketball team at a resort in Dipaculao, Aurora. Police have ruled out foul play and indicated the incident was an accident.
On June 10, Aurora Police Director Col. Percival Pineda reported Baterbonia's cause of death as asphyxia due to drowning. In the same press conference, Pineda said authorities are still waiting for the official death certificate of Adili.
Public interest in the incident has been intense since news of the deaths was announced by AdMU in a statement on June 8.
Reports have said the resort allegedly did not coordinate the athletes' visit with the local government of Dipaculao. Had they done that, Dipaculao Mayor Danilo Tolentino told DZRH News that the LGU would have activated its usual practice of deploying safety personnel around the area the athletes were staying at, which is what they usually do when big groups of tourists arrive. Along with barangay officials, personnel from the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, tourist police from the Philippine National Police, and the Philippine Coast Guard would have been able to ensure safety.
Additionally, Aurora police cited witness statements claiming two other athletes got caught in the same rip current that got Adili and Baterbonia. The two unnamed players, though, were successfully rescued.
Aside from an investigation currently being carried out by the Aurora police and the National Bureau of Investigation, independent probes are also being conducted by the Dipaculao LGU, the Commission on Higher Education, and the Philippine Sports Commission, which has convened a multi-agency panel for this purpose.
