CIDG looking at death of Ateneo basketball players as possible homicide, hazing
The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group is examining the deaths of Ateneo basketball players Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili as possible homicide or hazing cases.
"This investigation [has] now turned into a possible homicide investigation or hazing investigation, possibly the violation of Article 249 of the Revised Penal Code or the Anti-Hazing Act of 2018," CIDG director PMGen. Robert Morico II said in a media briefing on June 15.
He noted, however, that they are still gathering statements from other members of the basketball team.
According to Morico, the Anti-Hazing Act doesn't apply only to fraternities, academies, or police training, but also to any organization with an initiation rite or practice to admit a member or renew a member's membership.
He added that the law covers acts such as "forced calisthenics, exposure to the weather, or any other brutal treatment or forced physical activity" that is likely to affect the physical and psychological health of the member adversely.
Morico added that the information they have so far indicates that Ateneo men's basketball head coach Tab Baldwin was the author of the training regimen for former and current Ateneo players.
"That's part of the question, but right now, all directions pinpoints sa head coach," he said, adding that there are at least seven persons of interest in the case.
Baldwin and three other ADMU officials failed to appear during the fact-finding session despite a subpoena.
Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla told the media that Em Fernandez, Ateneo's head of the Athletics Department, was the only one who attended. He also noted that the university sent a lawyer to explain on their behalf.
The CIDG is set to issue a second subpoena against the individuals for another probe on Friday, June 19. Should they fail to appear again, this will warrant a contempt of court.
Aside from them, Morico said that they will also summon officials of Smart Communications, which runs the Ateneo men’s basketball team. CIDG's probe found that the multipurpose vehicle used by the cagers for their Aurora trip belonged to the telco.
Morico, however, noted that they are still looking into whether Smart Communications is liable for the tragedy. "We are yet to determine but we learned that the program, planning, and funding of this men's basketball team is not handled by Ateneo."
Baldwin, as well as team manager Christopher "Epok" Quimpo, have resigned from the position after the incident.
The CIDG has also asked the Bureau of Immigration to issue an immigration lookout bulletin order on Baldwin and his coaching staff.
Team-building tragedy
Baterbonia and Adili passed away on June 8 after drowning in Dipaculao, Aurora during a team-building activity.
Aurora police previously ruled out foul play and said the drowning incident was an "accident."
Various agencies and organizations have launched parallel investigations into the incident, including the National Bureau of Investigation, the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit, the Philippine Sports Commission, the Commission on Higher Education, and the Aurora local government. Initial findings from the Aurora police have shown no evidence of foul play.
Ateneo de Manila University president Fr. Roberto Yap SJ and other school officials addressed the tragedy for the first time on Monday.
He also apologized to the families of Baterbonia and Adili.
"On behalf of Ateneo de Manila University, I am here to say simply and directly, we are truly, deeply sorry. We apologize unreservedly to the families and to our entire community for the agonizing pain of this tragedy," Yap said.
The university president also said that they offered to shoulder all the travel costs of Baterbonia's family; however, the latter chose to accept the same offer from the Agusan del Sur governor. (with reports from Emmanuel Tupas)
