Rene Baterbonia's mom still seeking answers from Ateneo following son's death: 'Kulang'
The mother of student-athlete Rene Clert Baterbonia, who died in a drowning incident during a team-building trip, shared that she found the explanation from Ateneo de Manila University lacking.
During a press conference on June 10, Rovelyn Baterbonia told members of the media that she met with AdMU officials earlier in the day.
"Nag-usap kami kanina. May mga sinabi sila na ganyan ang nangyari, tapos sinabi ko na may kulang sa explanation nila, pero hintayin ko na muna ['yung] ibang coaches para ma-explain [kung] anong nangyari," she said.
Rovelyn said that the school's officials fell short in providing her information regarding the incident that took place in Dipaculao, Aurora.
"2:40 [p.m.] daw 'yun nangyari tapos 30 minutes naahon daw anak ko. Then nabalitaan ako one hour pa. 4:30 [p.m.] kasi 'yung pagtawag nila sa'kin. 'Yung nagtawag, sa Messenger lang, 'di ko na rin [natandaan] 'yung pangalan kasi daming nag-message," she recounted.
The mother added that a certain Coach Epok told her that Rene drowned. They didn't give her any updates after, according to Rovelyn. "'Yan ang tinanong ko sa kanila, bakit 'di sila nag-communicate?"
Coach Dean and Coach Sandro, who were present in Aurora, have talked to Rene's family regarding the incident.
"Sinabi nila na aksidente lang daw and then nanghingi din sila ng sorry sa akin, pero 'yun, sabi ko, hindi mababalik [ng] sorry ['yung] anak ko. Hindi mabubuhay 'yung anak ko sa sorry niyo," Rovelyn said.
"Bigyan niyo lang ako ng clear na [explanation] na [matanggap] ko sa sarili ko na aksidente talaga [...] Sabi ko may kulang [...] Hangga't hindi nila sinasabi sa akin [clearly], sa damdamin ko is may kulang talaga," the mother added.
According to Rovelyn, she asked for support from her local government's governor and congressman to fly her to Manila following news of her son's passing. AdMU provided assistance with Rene's wake and offered to help their family with their transportation to get home, she added.
The mother added that the university has yet to give her assurance that the incident is being investigated. Asked if this is something she's expecting from AdMU, she said, "Isa din pa."
Rene and another AdMU student-athlete, Divine Adili, died in a drowning incident on June 8. According to Aurora Provincial Police, the student-athletes were participating in an activity where they were walking along the beach when they were swept up in a strong current.
Police have ruled that their deaths were purely accidental.
The NBI has been ordered to conduct a probe into the incident.
