Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin, team manager Epok Quimpo on leave amid investigation on drowning incident
Ateneo de Manila University men's basketball head coach Anthony "Tab" Baldwin and team manager Christopher "Epok" Quimpo have gone on leave as the school's Board of Trustees orders a comprehensive fact-finding inquiry into the drowning incident involving Ateneo athletes Rene Baterbonia, 19, and Divine Adili, 21.
The victims passed away during one of the team's conditioning exercises on June 8 at a resort in Dipaculao, Aurora.
In a statement released on Thursday, June 11, ADMU President Fr. Roberto C. Yap, SJ wrote Baldwin and Quimpo went on leave "to preserve the total integrity, independence, and fairness of this investigation—and to ensure all participants can cooperate freely without any actual or perceived pressure."
The inquiry comes as the university community undergoes a period of grief for Baterbonia and Adili.
"No words can heal the void left by this tragedy, and our immediate, absolute priority remains enveloping their grieving families with the material, emotional, and pastoral support they need during this time of unimaginable pain," wrote Yap.
The university president reiterated several details gathered from those present at the team's June 8 conditioning exercise. Based on witness testimonies cited by Yap, the team was in the midst of the exercise, standing in knee-deep water near the shoreline. Massive waves and a strong rip current suddenly overpowered the athletes.
"While most of the players managed to fight their way back to safety, Rene and Divine were pulled away," Yap wrote. "We state categorically, to protect the dignity of our fallen players, that no weights of any kind were used during this exercise."
"A loss of this magnitude demands absolute accountability, clarity, and an unyielding review of the safety and welfare of our community," the Jesuit continued.
To arrive at a fair and independent review, he said the university's Board of Trustees mandated "a thorough fact-finding inquiry." Its task is to analyze the circumstances around the incident, recreate the timeline of events, review athletic protocols, and interview each individual present during the tragedy.
Once complete, according to Yap, the findings will be submitted to the Board of Trustees, who will decide on a timely and appropriate structural action, while staying true to the law, due process, and the university's "sacred responsibility to the families."
The university, Yap wrote, "is cooperating fully, transparently, and without reservation" with all the probes being carried out by various government agencies and regulatory bodies, which include Aurora police, the Dipaculao local government, the National Bureau of Investigation, the Commission on Higher Education, and the Philippine Sports Commission.
While police have ruled out foul play in its initial findings, Baterbonia's mother Rovelyn is seeking justice and a full explanation of what transpired before her son's death.
The families of both Baterbonia and Adili have requested autopsies before the former's family brings his remains home to Agusan del Sur and the latter's body is repatriated to Nigeria.
