The drowning and subsequent deaths of two Ateneo de Manila University student-athletes has triggered a multi-disciplinary investigation to determine the accountability and responsibility of the activity’s organizers and the educational institution itself.
Rene Clert Baterbonia, 19, and Divine Adili, 21 – members of the Ateneo men’s basketball team – drowned during a team-building activity amid treacherous waters on Monday, June 8, at a resort in Dipaculao, Aurora.
The activity, a military-style bootcamp, was organized by the team and headed by former New Zealand and Philippine basketball and current Ateneo head coach Thomas Anthony “Tab” Baldwin.
However, initial reports said that the team failed to inform the victims’ parents about the specifics of the bootcamp and the area where they will hold the activity, causing experts and various individuals to question its real purpose.
Baterbonia’s mother, Rovelyn, admitted in press conferences that she was not oriented by the team’s plan and was made to believe by reports of foul play and players wearing weights on their legs during the incident.
Authorities say Baterbonia, Adili ‘swept by strong current’
Authorities debunked the earlier claims of foul play and weights being applied on the student-athletes, saying they were carried away by strong current in the waters where they were training.
Police said personnel from the Dipaculao Municipal Police Station immediately responded to the incident and coordinated with concerned agencies to provide assistance.
The victims were rushed to a medical facility but were later declared dead by the attending physician.
The authorities also asked the public to refrain from speculation while they were completing their investigation and reminded beachgoers to observe safety advisories, particularly in areas known for strong currents.
Officials also singled out the lack of coordination by the basketball team to safety officials that an activity in strong currents would be organized during the day.
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Boot camp ‘controversies’ resurface on social media
Previous interviews conducted by basketball podcasts on former Ateneo players resurfaced following the incident, with these former players calling the training as “hell week” and “deadly”.
These players, who are now playing in professional leagues in the Philippines and South Korea, depicted the training as an exhausting activity meant to push athletes to their absolute physical and mental limits.
They also denied that it was part of the initiation of new basketball players.
The camp rarely involved basketball as it focused on intense military-style survival drills, heavy physical conditioning and endurance tasks strictly on the sand and in the open water.
In a TV interview, multi-titled PBA coach and former Philippine national team head coach Yeng Guiao admitted that almost all teams train in the water but it is always on the swimming pool and not open water.
“Almost all teams train in the water. Always in the pool. I don’t know any other team that does that in open water,” Guiao said.
“If you’re doing water training, it should be in a controlled area, not in the open water.”
He also elaborated that he never allows weights placed on bodies of his players while on water, as it is part of advanced training and it is discouraged among professional basketball players due to the dangers while wearing this.
Guiao, a former lawmaker, urged more stringent standards in sports training, following the call of the Philippine Sports Commission to intensify protection of athletes.
He recommended the leagues and schools to impose safety precautions in these kinds of activities.
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Government seeks swift probe, DOLE summons Baldwin
The Malacañan Palace has urged for a prompt investigation into the deaths of two student-athletes.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. wants authorities to immediately determine the facts behind the incident.
The PSC has formed a multi-stakeholder panel to assist efforts aimed at establishing a comprehensive account of the incident and review existing athlete safety measures.
The National Bureau of Investigation and the Philippine National Police are now looking deeper into the incident.
Senators Robin Padilla and Bam Aquino filed separate legislative resolutions seeking a Senate investigation over the deaths.
The primary objectives of the proposed Senate probe include a review of safety guidelines to protect student-athletes during off-campus programs, evaluate emergency protocols, enforce accountability to organizers and the institution and create legislation that would lead to stricter safety standards for educational activities held outside school grounds.
The Department of Labor and Employment summoned Baldwin to appear before the department on June 15.
Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino said they have asked Baldwin to meet with them at 10am on Monday to discuss his working alien employment permit.
Tolentino said Baldwin should submit a written explanation of the activity, including the nature of the activity, supervision arrangements, and safety protocols.
The secretary said that failure to comply with the subpoena or any finding of unauthorized employment could result in the cancellation or suspension of Baldwin’s AEP – a requirement for a valid working visa for alien workers in the Philippines.
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) ordered an immediate and impartial report on the incident.
The commission initiated fact-finding and accountability measures and required the submission of information and explanations from the ADMU through the CHED – National Capital Region on June 9.
The PSC has also formed a multi-stakeholder panel to assist efforts aimed at establishing a comprehensive account of the incident.
As the government agency mandated to provide leadership and direction in sports development and athlete welfare, the PSC said it is fully cooperating with the ongoing investigations and is convening a sports stakeholders’ panel to support the efforts of the Philippine National Police and the Department of Justice in probing the incident.
The body will include the Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas, University Athletic Association of the Philippines, Commission on Higher Education and the National Youth Commission, according to the PSC.
It added that the panel will examine existing policies, protocols and training practices toward resolutions to strengthen safeguards in athletic training environments.
The agency reportedly pledged a substantial cash sum to the families of the victims.
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Ateneo provides statement on death of Baterbonia, Adili
The educational institution provided a statement on the incident, saying that the entire community “mourns the loss of Rene and Divine” and it extends its heartfelt condolences to their families, friends, teammates, coaches, and loved ones.
Ateneo said that it is providing support to the victims’ families, as well as to their teammates and members of the Ateneo community affected.
School president Roberto Yap said that Baldwin and team manager Christopher “Epok” Quimpo were asked to go 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 leaves of Baldwin and Quimpo would be in effect for the duration of the inquiry.
Yap clarified that it had “requested“ the American-New Zealander to “refrain from making public statements to allow the official processes to proceed and the facts to be established before any public discussion of the matter.”
Baldwin, along with members of the team, attended a prayer vigil for Baterbonia and Adili held inside the Ateneo campus, based on pictures shared by the university’s student publication, The Guidon.
Quimpo has yet to appear since the incident took place.
The hope for various educational institutions to conduct new training standards is expected to be the hot topic in the coming months and various stakeholders are also looking to implement these immediately so that the deaths of Baterbonia and Adili would not go in vain.
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