Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) released a statement on Monday announcing the tragic passing of Divine Adili and Rene Clert Baterbonia of its men's basketball team. The university confirmed that a drowning incident in Dipaculao, Aurora caused their passing during a team-building activity on the afternoon of Monday, June 8.
“The entire Ateneo community mourns the loss of Rene and Divine. The University extends its heartfelt condolences to their families, friends, teammates, coaches, and loved ones. We ask the community to keep them in their prayers during this most difficult time,” the statement read.
“The University is providing support to the families of Rene and Divine, as well as to their teammates and members of the Ateneo community affected by this tragedy,” it added.
Furthermore, governing athletic bodies such as the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) and the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) have expressed their deep sympathies and condolences to the student-athletes’ families.
Rovelyn Baterbonia, the mother of the 19-year-old rookie, publicly spoke in a media interview regarding her son's sudden passing, emotionally stating that university officials failed to contact her immediately following the incident.
“Noong narinig niya yung boses ko, para siyang umiiyak sa dami ng luhang lumalabas sa mga mata niya. Sa isang saglit lang, yung pangarap ng aking anak, winasak nila. Ang malaking tanong ko talaga, bakit?” Rovelyn said.
She also criticized the university's decision to announce the deaths on social media without her prior consent in a separate personal Facebook post.
“Wala pa akong authorization na mag-post kayo... Wala kayong respeto sa aming pamilya na hanggang ngayon wala pa talagang binigay na balita sa totoong nangyari at kung nasaan na ang anak ko... at bakit na umabot sa ganoon," Rovelyn wrote, emphasizing that she has not been properly updated on the developments in the official investigation and has yet to see her son's body.
Baterbonia’s mother shared her suspicions of foul play, questioning the presence of marks and bruises on Rene's body despite the tragedy being officially ruled as a drowning. She asserted that her son played basketball, not swimming.
Public speculation has also intensified online as a result of perceived inconsistencies in the early stages of the investigation.
Meanwhile, the Police Regional Office 3 (PRO 3) maintained its initial findings that “the victims were swimming when they were reportedly carried by a strong current into deeper waters.”
Moreover, the Philippine National Police (PNP) Aurora Provincial Office supported the statements of PRO 3, denying allegations of foul play in the deaths of Adili and Baterbonia. In a press conference, Aurora PPO Acting Provincial Director Police Colonel Percival Pineda explained that the incident was “purely an accident” based on accounts collected by investigators.
“Natural accident po talaga ang nangyari, at sa ngayon, wala po tayong nakikitang foul play,” Pineda stated.
Baterbonia was an incoming 19-year-old Ateneo rookie, while Adili, 21, was his veteran teammate from Nigeria.
Initial reports showed that the two drowned due to a sudden shift in the water's depth and a strong current along the coastal area where the team building was being held. The students were rushed to the Aurora Memorial Hospital but were declared dead on arrival by the attending physician. Their remains were transported to the Arlington Memorial Chapels and Crematory in Quezon City on Tuesday morning.
Authorities are expected to conduct an official autopsy on Baterbonia's body upon the formal request of his mother. ADMU stated it will continue to coordinate and fully cooperate with local authorities to assist the bereaved families.
Written by Ashraf Indanan
Ashraf Indanan is a dedicated campus journalist and contributor. Their insightful writing sparks meaningful conversations and keeps the community informed.
