Rene Baterbonia's cause of death revealed
Ateneo de Manila University basketball player Rene Clert Baterbonia died of asphyxia due to drowning, Aurora Police Director Col. Percival Pineda announced in a video press conference on Wednesday.
While authorities are still awaiting the official death certificate of Baterbonia's teammate, Nigerian import Divine Adili, police confirmed that both athletes fell victim to the same sudden aquatic surge during a team-building exercise in Dipaculao, Aurora.
According to Pineda, while the water appeared calm on the surface, local surfers had previously warned the team about sudden drop-offs.
“Hanggang tuhod ‘yung tubig pero naglakad ka ng konti bigla ka lubog base sa aming pakikpag-usap sa surfers,” Pineda said, describing how knee-deep water could instantly turn into a deep plunge.
The incident occurred at around 2:30 p.m. when Baterbonia, Adili, and their teammates were wading in what they believed to be waist-deep water. A strong current suddenly swept them away.
While two unnamed teammates were successfully rescued, Baterbonia and Adili's bodies were recovered after 30 to 40 minutes by emergency responders.
Investigators revealed that the team had moved away from the resort’s designated safe zones prior to the incident. Upon their arrival, resort management had warned the Ateneo team about unpredictable sea conditions, advising them to stay directly in front of the resort where a lifeguard was on duty.
“Nung unang dating nag-uusap sila na ito ‘yung kundisyon ng dagat natin. Dito sa tapat ng resort ay safe diyan, alam natin ang kundisyon,” Pineda noted.
However, the team reportedly refused and moved their training session to an unsupervised area roughly 300 meters away from the main beachfront.
“Humingi sila na huwag sila pakialaman sa kanilang activity kaya nung lumayo po sila doon nangyari ‘yung insidente,” Pineda explained.
Based on testimonies gathered from the resort owner, the lifeguard, the coaching staff, and municipal disaster risk reduction officers, the Philippine National Police has ruled out foul play.
“Nakikita natin na wala pong foul play dahil sa kanilang mga binitawang statements,” Pineda concluded.
Earlier, Dipaculao Mayor Danila Tolentino claimed the owner of the resort where the Ateneo contingent stayed did not coordinate the group's arrival with the local government.
According to Tolentino, when big groups of tourists arrive, it is the LGU's practice to coordinate their safe stay with barangay officials, personnel from the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, tourist police deployed by the Philippine National Police, and the Philippine Coast Guard.
Since the resort allegedly did not notify the LGU of their student-athlete arrivals, the LGU was not able to ensure the presence of the necessary safety personnel.
"Sana ay ipatala nila ang lahat ng bisita sa amin. May opisina naman ang tourism officer o kaya sa MDRRMO, lalo na sa barangay," the mayor added. (with reports from Emmanuel Tupas)
