A week after the incident occurred.
On Monday, June 15, the administration of the Ateneo De Manila University (ADMU), led by University President Fr. Roberto Yap, SJ, held a press conference to address the deaths of the student-athletes Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili in Aurora during a team-building activity last June 8.
He opened by saying that “no word in any language” is capable of describing the loss of two young lives. “When a young man dies, we mourn both the loss of life and the shattering of dreams. We mourn the potential that come true, the empty chairs at family dinner tables, and the futures that were supposed to unfold on our playing courts and far beyond them.“
Yap directly addressed the the families of Rene and Divine and told: “[W]e see you, we hear you, we acknowledge the unbearable pain of your mourning. We know that the grief you carry right now is compounded by an anger that is entirely natural, justified, and deeply human.“
The University President also expressed on behalf of the ADMU administration, “We are truly, deeply sorry. We apologize unreservedly to the families and to our entire community for the agonizing pain of this tragedy.“
“Two young men entrusted to our care did not return home, and that fact breaks our hearts. No explanation, context, or words can undo that loss. We face this moment with absolute humility, and we ask for your prayers and your forgiveness,” he continued.
Father Bobby then noted that after the incident, the university chose “direct action” for the families and the members of the team and will continue to do so.
“The few public updates were not because we did not care for the Baterbonia and Adili families. We believe and continue to believe that public relations or institutional noise should not intrude upon a family’s grief,” he clarified their side. “We are truly sorry for not being quick at informing the public of the developments, which has led to perceptions of inaction. We focused on being present for the grieving families in their darkest hour.”
Yap also said that ADMU also wants the truth to come out, with persons who can shed light on the events of June 8th now subject of investigations by the authorities.
“We recognize that they have their constitutional rights as well, and we intend on respecting those rights, and therefore we cannot speak on their behalf nor force them to speak at this time,” he furthered.
Like everyone else, he said, “the law affords Ateneo certain rights. If Ateneo exercises those rights, it is not to delay or mislead, but simply because that is how it is under our legal system. And if it is eventually found that the university has its shortcomings, please rest assured that the university will address them and make them right.“
The University President also said that they were committed to providing support since the incident.
“From day one, the university reached out to provide full support to the families. We offered to shoulder all travel costs of Rene’s family from Agusan to Manila so that they could be with him. While they choose to accept the kind and generous support offer of the Agusan del Sur governor, our hand remained extended.“
He also expressed his gratitude to Ateneo de Davao University and their president, Father Joel Tabora, with whom the Manila side had been in close coordination since June 8 for their full support and assistance to the Baterbonia family.
“The university also immediately committed to covering every single expense related to the funeral services and the wake, and fully shouldered all costs for the return of the Baterbonia family to Agusan via Davao,” added Yap.
In addition, Ateneo has also offered to cover all funeral expenses for Divine, including flying his family from Nigeria to the Philippines and back, as well as transportation and expatriation of the body back to his home country.
Meanwhile, Father Bobby also said that all available information, at least at least the moment, indicates that it was a “tragic accident,” but noted that for loved ones, the word ‘accident’ is not easy to accept.
“Ateneo de Manila is not evading accountability. For full clarity, transparency, and justice, our board of trustees formed an independent fact-finding body composed of external, highly competent legal and technical experts who will operate entirely outside Ateneo’s administrative structure,” he disclosed the action of the university.
The findings and recommendations will then be submitted directly to the board of trustees, with the University President assuring the public that the review will be “exhaustive, unsparing, and free from influence, whether from the inside or outside.”
“We also welcome and will fully cooperate with any and all investigations by civil and regulatory bodies. We are fully committed to the truth, wherever it leads,” he added.
Yap also recognized that while “no amount of material support can ever compensate for the loss of a son,” Ateneo has offered “full assistance and support to the Adili and Baterbonia families to cover all financial, emotional, and long-term burdens arising from this tragedy.“
He emphasized: “This is not a legal settlement; it is our moral obligation.“
The Ateneo administration also tackled the “increasing distortion of facts circulating in public regarding Ateneo’s alleged prior knowledge of safety risks and accusations of institutional intimidation,” which was floated by Efi, the estranged wife of head coach Thomas Anthony ‘Tab’ Baldwin, in a video message.
According to Yap, an initial review of university records showed “absolutely no complaints, warnings, or communications regarding student safety in this matter, nor was there anyone asked to be silent about this.”
“However, we are not dismissing these serious allegations. All claims and data will be turned over to the independent fact-finding body, which will then conduct a rigorous forensic audit of all records and communications. We will not shield or protect anyone, nor will we allow our integrity to be compromised,” he added.
During the same press conference, Father Bobby also confirmed that the university has accepted the resignation of head coach Tab Baldwin, effective immediately — marking the end of his 10-year-stint with the team.
“We thank him for the years of service to the Blue Eagles, but as we enter a period of deep institutional review, a change in leadership is necessary to ensure the full integrity of our sports programs and safety protocols governing them,” he added.
Later in the same conference, Yap also confirmed that team manager Christopher “Epok” Quimpo has also resigned.
“We must look inward, examine our systems, and rebuild the structures of our athletic programs so that our fields and playing courts remain places where dreams are nurtured, not broken,” the University President continued.
Meanwhile, directly addressing the entire men’s basketball program, especially tje student-athletes, players, coaching, and supporting staff, he said: “[W]e also know that you are grieving and in pain, compounded by the relentless misinformation, harsh discourse, and even dangerous threats directed at you.“
“We will continue to support you through this difficult time and will always be committed to your safety and well-being, especially as you also recover from this tragedy,” Fr. Bobby assured them.
Lastly, to the rest of the Ateneo community, he told: “Right now, I know that we are all in deep pain with the events of the past week, and it has made us all think about our beloved alma mater, the values it stands for, and how we are as a community. It is at this moment that we need to come together to grieve, to reflect, and to heal. We are truly sorry for missteps which have caused further pain to the community, and we will work hard to rebuild your trust.”
“As we pray for Rene, Divine, and the loved ones they leave behind, I ask you to also pray for healing, clarity, and reflection in our community as we navigate this dark and painful time,” he ended his address.