Rene Baterbonia's family to prioritize bringing his remains home to Agusan del Sur
The family of Rene Baterbonia, 19, who drowned during a team-building trip with the Ateneo de Manila University men's basketball team in Dipaculao, Aurora, is prioritizing plans to bring his body home to Agusan del Sur.
In an interview with ABS CBN News on Tuesday, June 9, Sandy Baterbonia, Rene's uncle, said that their "first plan is to bring him home to Talacogon."
Rene's remains are currently at the Arlington Memorial Chapels in Quezon City, where relatives and former high school classmates were seen paying their respects. The young athlete's parents and brother arrived in Manila on Tuesday.
According to a report by TV Patrol, Rene's father and some relatives left the player's wake on Tuesday and were headed to Ateneo de Manila University accompanied by a lawyer.
On June 9, the Provincial Council of Agusan del Sur called for a "thorough, impartial, and transparent investigation" into Baterbornia's death. The council also asked AdMU officials, coaches, and team personnel "to extend complete, truthful, and unbiased cooperation in any investigation or inquiry" carried out by the authorities.
Drowning incident
Rene and his Blue Eagles teammate Divine Adili, 21, drowned on Monday, June 8, in an incident police have said was accidental.
"Base po sa ating nakuhang salaysay sa mga kasama [nila], itong insidente na ito ay talagang purely accident," Police Colonel Percival R. Pineda said in a press conference.
However, Rene's mother Rovelyn is seeking justice, saying her family was not informed about the allegedly rigorous nature of the team's training camp, calling it "military style."
"Kasi kung sinabi pa lang nila, matanong ko na sana, 'Kaya mo ba 'yun?' Para madesisyunan namin. Hindi ko alam ba't ganu'n ang nangyari," Rovelyn told media upon her arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Tuesday.
She said she learned about Rene's passing when she received a text message from an individual on June 8 asking if they could call her.
"Sabi niya, 'Ma'am, naaksidente po si Rene. Nalunod po,'" Rovelyn recalled.
AdMU officials have said Rene's remains will undergo an autopsy, as requested by his family. The remains of his teammate Adili will be transported home to his family in Nigeria.
As the PNP and the Department of Justice carry out their investigations of the incident, the Philippine Sports Commission has also put together a sports stakeholders' panel whose goal is to establish "a clear, accurate, and comprehensive understanding of the events that transpired."
In the panel are representatives from multiple government agencies and basketball organizations, including PSC chairman Patrick Gregorio, PSC commissioner Fritz Gaston, Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas executive director Erika Dy, CHED chairman Shirley Agrupis, UAAP representatives Rebo Saguisag and Fr. Aldrin Suan, National Youth Commission chairman Jeff Ortega, and DepEd undersecretary Malcolm Garma.
According to the PSC, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla assured the panel it would be given access to the official report from PNP Aurora, as well as resource persons during its meetings.
