PNP-CIDG recommends filing of charges vs Baldwin and 10 others over Ateneo drowning tragedy
The PNP-CIDG has recommended the filing of hazing charges against resigned head coach Tab Baldwin and 10 others in connection with the tragic deaths of Ateneo student-athletes Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili, according to DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla.
Aside from Baldwin, included in the list of recommended respondents are strength and conditioning coaches Grant Dearns and Caesar Vincent Javellana Elumba; assistant coaches Dean Caesar Castaño, Sandro Nicholas Romero Soriano, and Reynaldo Jacinto Jr.; student managers Paolo Manuel Maceda Adevoso and Andrew Lorenzo Bondoc Salut; physical therapist John Eric Rueca; and utility/ball boys Aris Ramos Pronce and Joel Palmiano Rapa.
In a press briefing on Friday, June 26, Remulla said that the PNP-CIDG recommended the evaluation, case build-up, and preliminary evaluation by the Department of Justice against the individuals for violation of RA 11053 or the Anti-Hazing Act. He noted that it "penalizes those who actually planned or participated in the hazing if, as a consequence of the hazing, death, rape, sodomy, or mutilation results therefrom."
"Ang dati pong iniisip natin, ang hazing ay initiations lamang. Ngunit dito, ang team-building at training ay nag-crossover papunta sa hazing," Remulla said.
In a statement released after the press conference, ADMU spokesperson Fr. RB Hizon SJ said they "acknowledge the PNP-CIDG's recommendation and respect the work it has undertaken in the course of its investigation."
"We also recognize that other investigations remain ongoing, and we will continue to cooperate fully with all competent authorities as they complete their respective inquiries, while the CIDG's recommendation will now be reviewed by the Department of Justice, as provided under the law," Hizon said, expressing confidence that the facts "will be fully and fairly evaluated through the proper process."
Hizon reaffirmed the institution's commitment to accountability, student welfare, and the highest standards of safety and institutional responsibility.
"The University will continue to support the families of those involved, care for its students and community, and strengthen the reforms already underway to help ensure that such a tragedy is never repeated," he concluded.
Drowning incident 'could have been avoided'
According to Remulla, the PNP-CIDG's findings showed that the tragedy could have been avoided.
The DILG chief noted that a similar incident took place at an Ateneo men's basketball team-building activity organized by Baldwin at the same location in 2016.
"I asked him, it was asked whether a similar accident occurred in the past. He said, 'Again, we fielded that question before. There was no incident that even created the idea of drowning.' Sinabi niya na walang nangyari dati," said Remulla.
But former members of the Ateneo Blue Eagles shared different accounts. Norman Aaron Black said that two of his teammates “nearly drowned in the seawater due to panic.” He also said he "personally experienced an untoward incident to the point that I almost drowned and gave up, but Coach Yuri Escueta held my hand and helped me with a floating device."
Gideon Babilonia, another former Ateneo MBT member, recalled being dragged while running through the water and nearly drowning, before Baldwin stepped in to rescue him. "Sumigaw na ako ng tulong at dumating si Coach Tab dala ang kanyang surf board para sagipin ako," he's quoted as saying.
"Para sabihin niya na walang nangyari dati ngunit siya mismo ang nag-rescue sa isa sa kanyang players noon ay makikita natin na fully aware siya sa mga pwedeng mangyari sa Dipaculao," Remulla said. "This tragedy could have been avoided."
Team-building tragedy
Baterbonia and Adili passed away on June 8 after drowning in Dipaculao, Aurora during a team-building activity.
The university has since said it is conducting its own comprehensive fact-finding inquiry into the tragedy and is "providing support to the families of Rene and Divine, as well as to their teammates and members of the Ateneo community affected by this tragedy."
Various agencies and organizations 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.
Following the university's announcement of Baterbonia and Adili's deaths, ADMU President Fr. Roberto Yap SJ gave several official statements. He said that as the university grieved for its student-athletes, it also convened a fact-finding panel to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances of the incident. To allow for the "total integrity" of the probe, Yap said Ateneo men's basketball head coach Tab Baldwin and team manager Christopher "Epok" Quimpo were placed on leave.
Amid calls for Baldwin to personally pay his respects to the Baterbonia and Adili families, Yap wrote that the coach's silence was not self-imposed. Rather, it was a university decision to "allow official processes to proceed and the facts to be established before any public discussion of the matter," Yap said.
Baldwin made his first public appearance following the tragedy at a candlelight vigil for Baterbonia and Adili on June 11 at the ADMU campus.
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.
Baldwin and Quimpo resigned from their posts three days later.
Note: This is a developing story.
