It has become a major story that shocked the country’s collegiate sports scene.
On Thursday, May 11, the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) released new statements regarding the deaths of student-athleted Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili during a team-building activity of the Men’s basketball team in Aurora.
Baterbonia was an incoming Ateneo rookie from Agusan del Sur and the Most Valuable Player of the 2025 Palarong Pambansa boys’ basketball tournament.
Meanwhile, Adili was a Nigerian student-athlete who played for the Blue Eagles in UAAP Season 88.
Signed by University President Fr. Roberto C. Yap, SJ, the first memorandum released earlier in the day noted their ongoing investigation into the incident.
“Based on what we have gathered from those present, on Monday, 8 June 2026, the team was engaged in a conditioning exercise in knee-deep water near the shoreline when they were suddenly engulfed by massive waves and a powerful rip current,” ADMU said, corroborating with the reports from authorities on the absence of foul play and denial of any other speculations circulating on social media.
“While most of the time players managed to fight their way back to safety, Rene and Divine were pulled away. We state categorically, to protect the dignity of our fallen players, that no weights of any kind were used during this exercise,” it added.
They also said that “a loss of this magnitude” demands absolute accountability, clarity, and an unyielding review of the safety and welfare of our community.
Hence, the ADMU Board of Trustees has already mandated a thorough fact-finding inquiry.
“This inquiry will exhaustively examine the circumstances surrounding the incident, reconstruct a transparent timeline, review all athletic protocols, and interview every individual present,” stated the university.
It furthered, “Upon its completion, the independent findings will be submitted directly to the Board of Trustees for swift and appropriate structural action, guided always by the requirements of law, due process, and our sacred responsibility to the families.”
In order to “preserve” the integrity of this investigation, the university said that Head Coach Thomas Anthony “Tab” Baldwin and Team Manager Christopher “Epok” Quimpo have gone on leave for the duration of the inquiry.
“The University is cooperating fully, transparently, and without reservation with all investigations being undertaken by national authorities and competent regulatory bodies,” it added.
Meanwhile, in a follow-up statement, the Ateneo de Manila University clarified that Coach Baldwin’s silence on the issue is one that they have requested for the American-New Zealander to do.
“The University requested that Coach Baldwin 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,” they said.
ADMU also told that in the immediate aftermath of the tragedy, they have told Baldwin to focus his attention on the emotional and psychological welfare of the players, coaches, and staff affected by the incident, as well as also attend to his own well-being as someone “who is grieving alongside the rest of the community.”
“At a time when our priority was caring for those most directly affected, we believed it was neither appropriate nor helpful to ask Coach Baldwin to engage in public commentary while the community was mourning and while the circumstances surrounding the incident were still being examined,” the university added.
They also emphasized that Baldwin’s silence should not be misconstrued as “indifference or a lack of concern,”as it instead reflects the “University’s decision to place care, healing, and due process ahead of public discussion”.
“As the various inquiries proceed, the University remains confident that the truth, established through facts rather than speculation, will in due course provide the clarity and understanding that this tragedy demands,” the follow-up statement concluded.
MALACAÑANG’S REACTION
In light of the tragedy at sea, which had become a national talking point, Malacañang on Thursday, June 11, expressed its grief over the deaths of the two Ateneo de Manila University student-athletes.
“Unang-una po, of course, ay nakikiramay tayo sa pangyayaring ito,” Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said during a press briefing.
Castro said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has already told authorities that he wants an in-depth investigation not only in this case but in all incidents involving the loss of Filipino lives.
“Ang nais din po ng Pangulo ay hindi lamang sa sitwasyon na ganito kundi sa lahat ng mga Pilipino na napupunta sa ganitong klase ng sitwasyon. Dapat po ang agarang pag-iimbestiga,” she said.
“Kailangan talaga ng imbestigasyon dahil hindi talaga naging maganda ang naging resulta ng nasabing training. Of course, hindi natin kailangan i-pre-empt or mag-prejudge dito. So kailangan talaga ng agarang imbestigasyon.”
In light of the incident, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has since directed the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to establish a special task force to conduct a comprehensive and impartial probe into the incident and determine possible criminal liability.
DOLE TO SUBPOENA BALDWIN
Meanwhile, on Thursday, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) also confirmed that it will issue a subpoena to compel ADMU’s Men’s Basketball Team Head Coach Tab Baldwin to personally appear before Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino on Monday, June 15.
The Labor chief noted that Baldwin, who is considered a foreign national employed in the Philippines, must personally appear before him and present documents evidencing his authority to work in the country and to coach the Ateneo men’s basketball team.
“No foreign national working in this country is above the law regardless of their status, reputation, or the institution they represent,” said Tolentino, who required Baldwin to present documents such as his valid and current Alien Employment Permit (AEP) from DOLE, which authorizes him to serve as head coach of the team.
An AEP is a requirement for a valid working visa for alien workers in the Philippines.
Moreover, he is told to submit proof that the AEP covers the full scope of his coaching and supervisory activities, including off-campus training activities such as the team-building exercise in Dipaculao, Aurora, where the incident occurred.
Aside from documents, Baldwin was also directed to provide a written explanation of the circumstances surrounding the team-building activity, including the nature of the exercise, supervision arrangements, and safety protocols observed.
“Verifying that he holds a valid and current alien employment permit as required under Article 40 of the Labor Code. If he is compliant, there is nothing to fear,” Tolentino said.
The DOLE Central Luzon – Aurora Field Office has also begun conducting an inspection of the resort where the incident allegedly occurred while the announcement was ongoing.
Tolentino also extended his condolences to the families of the victims. “Ipinapaabot po natin sa mga magulang ni Rene at sa Nigerian Embassy na humahawak ng kaso ni Divine Adili ang akin pong taos-pusong pakikiramay,” he said.
The Labor chief added, “The family of Rene and Divine deserves answers, and they deserve accountability. Every agency of government has a role to play in getting to the truth of what happened in Aurora. DOLE’s role is to ensure that every person employed in this country, Filipino or foreign, is working lawfully and within the bounds of our labor laws. We will not waver in this responsibility.”