NBI ordered to investigate Ateneo student-athletes' deaths
The Department of Justice has ordered the National Bureau of Investigation to conduct a probe on the deaths of Ateneo men's basketball players Divine Adili and Rene Baterbonia, who both passed away in a drowning incident in Dipaculao, Aurora.
The agency said that they have directed the NBI Central Office to create a task force and conduct a "thorough, comprehensive, and impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident."
"The DOJ remains committed to ensuring that the facts are fully established and that justice is served," they stressed.
According to them, all available evidence will be evaluated to determine whether criminal charges should be recommended against any persons found responsible for the incident.
Baterbonia and Adili drowned during a team-building trip in Dipaculao, Aurora on June 8. Initial findings indicated that the players were swimming at around 2:40 p.m. when they were reportedly carried by a strong current into deeper waters, as per Police Regional Office 3.
Other players and the resort's lifeguard helped out Baterbonia and Adili, but the athletes passed away.
Baterbonia's mother, Rovelyn, questioned the circumstances surrounding the incident and suspected foul play. She asked why her son was allegedly not rescued in time and why weights were reportedly attached to his arms and feet while he was swimming. This, however, was denied by the Philippine National Police Aurora.
"Wala po. Base sa statement ng ating mga nakusap, wala pong ganoong sinasabi na weights," Police Colonel Percival R. Pineda told One PH's Storycon.
Percival said that there were no signs of foul play that led to their deaths.
"Base po sa ating nakuhang salaysay sa mga kasama [nila], itong insidente na ito ay talagang purely accident," he said in a press conference on June 9.
"Natural accident po ang pangyayari, 'di po talaga inaasahan. At sa ngayon, wala po tayong nakikitang foul play."
In a statement by the Ateneo de Manila University, an autopsy will be conducted on Baterbonia's body at the request of his parents, while Adili's remains will meanwhile be returned to Nigeria to respect "family and cultural practices that are important to them."
Baterbonia and Adili's remains were brought to Arlington Memorial Chapels in Quezon City on Tuesday evening. A representative from the funeral home said that Baterbonia’s family has chosen not to release a statement for the time being.
