Aurora police: No foul play in drowning of Ateneo’s Baterbonia, Adili

MANILA, Philippines — The Aurora Provincial Police Office on Tuesday said there was no foul play in the drowning incident in Dipaculao town in which Ateneo de Manila University men’s basketball team members Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili perished.

“Based on the statements we got from their companions, this incident was really, purely an accident. It was a natural accident. It was not expected,” Aurora police chief Col. Percival Pineda said in a press briefing.

“As of now, we do not see any foul play in this accident,” he noted.

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Pineda said the incident took place sometime around 2:40 p.m. on Monday.

The town disaster risk reduction and management office sought the police’s assistance at around 3:15 p.m., according to Dipaculao town police chief Maj. Eduardo Mendoza Jr. also at the briefing.

Baterbonia and Adili were “swimming when they were reportedly carried by a strong current into deeper waters,” according to the Central Luzon Police Regional Office (PRO 3) in a statement on Monday.

At the briefing, Pineda confirmed that the two athletes were swept away by a current.

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“The leadership of the Aurora Provincial Police Office is saddened by the tragedy that occurred in our province. Of course, we extend our condolences to the friends, associates, and family of the players,” Pineda added.

“We are intensifying our presence in these areas and our coordination with resort owners and management, with our local government units, with our rescue teams, and with our law enforcement agencies like the Philippine Coast Guard,” he added.

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The Aurora police chief also appealed to the public to refrain from spreading “misinformation” as a show of sympathy for the bereaved families.

The Ateneo de Manila University on Monday extended its condolences and support to Baterbonia and Adili’s families.

Baterbonia, 19, recently played in the Palarong Pambansa finals two weeks ago and committed to the Blue Eagles program.

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Adili, 21, a Nigerian foreign student athlete, played in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament last year. /mr /atm