DOJ tells NBI to find liability in drowning of 2 ADMU student-athletes

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) is looking at whether charges could be filed against those liable for the drowning incident that led to the sudden deaths of two members of the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) men’s basketball team.

In a statement on Wednesday, the DOJ said it has instructed the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to form a task force that would probe into the incident and promised it to be “thorough, comprehensive and impartial.”

“As part of its investigation, the NBI will determine whether there is sufficient basis to recommend the filing of charges before the DOJ. The DOJ remains committed to ensuring that the facts are fully established and that justice is served,” it said.

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While parallel investigations are ongoing, speculations as to how and why ADMU Blue Eagles rookie players Rene Baterbonia, 19, and Divine Adili, 21, drowned on June 8 during a team-building activity in the coastal town of Dipaculao in Aurora province.

Col. Percival Pineda, acting Aurora provincial police director, had already declared in a press conference on Tuesday that it was “purely [an] accident” and did not involve foul play. Pineda noted that the student-athletes were wading through the sea when they were suddenly swept by the current.

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The ADMU released a statement late Tuesday, saying that the remains of Baterbonia have been taken to Arlington Memorial Chapels and Crematory in Quezon City, while Adili’s remains will be flown to Nigeria.

An autopsy will be conducted as well on Baterbonia’s body at the request of his family. The rest of the members of the ADMU men’s basketball team will also undergo psychological processing and counselling sessions to help them cope with the incident.