Baldwin and 3 other Ateneo officials no-show at CIDG fact-finding session over drowning tragedy
Ateneo de Manila University men's basketball head coach Tab Baldwin and three other ADMU officials did not appear on Monday, June 15, at the PNP-CIDG headquarters in Camp Crame for a fact-finding session despite a subpoena.
The CIDG is investigating the circumstances surrounding the drowning deaths of AdMU players Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili on June 8 in Dipaculao, Aurora while they were taking part in a team-building activity with the rest of their team.
In an interview with the press, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said five members of the Ateneo management were summoned.
"The only one who appeared is Mr. Em Fernandez, head of the Athletics Department. Mr. Baldwin did not appear. Mr. Quimpo did not appear. Fr. Nemy did not appear," Remulla said, apparently referring to Ateneo men's basketball team manager Christopher "Epok" Quimpo and Fr. Nemesio "Nemy" Que SJ, the team's chaplain.
According to Remulla, the university sent a lawyer to explain on their behalf.
"They sent their lawyers, which is their right to do so. Karapatan naman nila 'yun, so okay lang," he said.
He added CIDG will be issuing a second subpoena against the individuals on Friday, June 19, "para ma-clarify talaga namin ito."
A second absence, said Remulla, "will warrant a contempt of court if they do not attend."
Subpoenas are apparently also being prepared for the men's basketball team players. "Baka bukas," Remulla said.
He emphasized the summons are just part of the CIDG's investigation.
"Again, I have to repeat, this is a fact-finding mission, not fault-finding," Remulla said.
Team-building tragedy
On the day of the tragic incident, ADMU released a statement informing the public that Baterbonia and Adili passed away 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."
ADMU president Fr. Roberto Yap also said Ateneo Blue Eagles men's basketball team head coach Tab Baldwin was asked to "refrain from making public statements" about the incident.
But 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.
