It was described as a ‘tragedy that could have been avoided’.
On Friday, June 26, the Philippine National Police – Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) announced its next move regarding the case involving the deaths of Ateneo Blue Eagles players Divine Adili and Rene Baterbonia in Dipaculao, Aurora last June 8.
The authorities have officially recommended the conduct of evaluation, case build-up, and preliminary investigation before the Department of Justice.
Specifically, it noted that there is an “existence of a prima facie case with reasonable certainty of conviction based on available documents, witness/es, real evidence and the like, appropriate information(s) for violation of Republic Act 11053 (Anti-Hazing Act against the respondents), who actually planned or participated in the hazing, without prejudice to the finding of other, applicable offense by the DOJ.”
Under Section 14(a) of RA 11053, it was said that those who actually planned or participated in the hazing if it led to death.
The PNP-CIDG also listed recommended respondents to be resigned Head Coach Thomas Anthony Baldwin, Strength and Conditioning Coaches Grant Dearns and Ceasar Vincent Javellana Elumba, Assistant Coaches Dean Caesar B. Castaño, Sandro Nicholas Romero Soriano and Reynaldo C. Jacinto Jr., Student Managers Paolo Manuel Maceda Adevoso, Andrew Lorenzo Bondoc Salud; Physical Therapist John Eric Quiambao Rueca, and Utility and Ball Boys Aris Ramos Pronce and Joel Palmiano Rapa.
“Ang Anti-Hazing Act ay revised na po ‘yan… Ang dati pong iniisip natin, ang hazing ay initiations lamang. Ngunit dito, ang team-building at training ay nag-cross over papunta sa hazing,” explained Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla.
He noted that forced calisthenics and exposure to weather, which was what occurred during the team building, fell within the definition of the law, which states that the act of hazing refers to one that results in “physical or psychological suffering, harm or injury inflicted on a recruit, neophyte, applicant or member.”
Remulla also stressed at one point of the press conference that “[t]his tragedy could have been avoided,” noting that Baldwin was fully aware of the possibilities of holding such activity, citing a 2016 incident where a player recalled that two of his teammates nearly drowned.
“Noong nalaman niya na hindi marunong lumangoy, binigyan niya ng information kung paano mag-handle ng rip currents… He was of full knowledge that this could happen,” the SILG furthered.
Meanwhile, this afternoon, the DOJ said that it has received the PNP-CIDG’s recommendation to file cases against the 11 personalities.
In response, the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) also issued its own statement, noting that they “acknowledge the CIDG’s recommendation and respect the work it has undertaken in the course of its investigation.“
“We also recognize that other investigations remain ongoing, and we will continue to cooperate fully with all competent authorities as they complete their respective inquiries, while the CIDG’s recommendation will now be reviewed by the Department of Justice, as provided under the law. We are confident that the facts will be fully and fairly evaluated through the proper process,” the University continued.
ADMU also said that it remaines “steadfast in its commitment to accountability, student welfare, and the highest standards of safety and institutional responsibility.“
“The University will continue to support the families of those involved, care for its students and community, and strengthen the reforms already underway to help ensure that such a tragedy is never repeated,” it furthered.