PNP to ‘carefully consider’ all accounts in Ateneo drowning case

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Sunday said it is monitoring new statements and developments surrounding the fatal drowning of Ateneo student-athletes Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili as part of the ongoing investigation.

“We take note of all these, and rest assured that every piece of information, every statement, and every account that has been made public or submitted to investigators will be carefully considered,” PNP Public Information Office OIC Police Col. Allen Rae Co told the Inquirer.

Co added that these will be “looked into as part of the ongoing investigation.”

Article continues after this advertisement

On Saturday, a woman who introduced herself as “Efi,” claiming to be the estranged wife of Ateneo Blue Eagles head coach Tab Baldwin, along with her daughter, said they had repeatedly cautioned Ateneo de Manila University that “children are not safe around him.”

FEATURED STORIES

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

They also urged university officials to have him removed from the campus.

In a video posted by Auckland-based barrister Tudor Clee, who represents Efi, the woman claimed that she has been married to Baldwin since 2011.

READ: Tab Baldwin’s alleged wife: Ateneo cagers’ deaths ‘preventable’

She also addressed the parents of the student-athletes, saying, “Rovelyn and Elias, the deaths of your kids were not only predictable but preventable.”

Article continues after this advertisement

“The bodies of your children are still warm, and he is already talking about moving on. That is terrible,” he added.

Efi also urged Filipinos and law enforcement to continue questioning why Baldwin was reportedly still permitted to be around children despite the warnings.

Article continues after this advertisement

The PNP emphasized that it would be premature to conclude at this stage.

“Doing so may compromise the integrity of the investigation and prejudice the rights of all parties involved,” Co said.

“We owe it to the families of Rene and Divine—and to the public—to arrive at the truth through a thorough, impartial, and credible investigation. That is our commitment,” he added.

Baldwin faces heavy scrutiny following a routine training run during the Blue Eagles’ camp in Dipaculao, Aurora, which led to the deaths of incoming rookie Baterbonia and sophomore Nigerian student-athlete Adili.

The PNP’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group is conducting a separate investigation into the case and is prepared to support other agencies conducting their own investigations.

“We are committed to ensuring full cooperation among all investigative bodies to arrive at a comprehensive and truthful account of what transpired, and to deliver justice for the families of the late student-athletes Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili,” Co said.

The Philippine Sports Commission, UAAP, Commission on Higher Education, and the National Youth Commission have created a joint body to investigate the incident and review safety protocols for student-athletes.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.

Your subscription has been successful.

The National Bureau of Investigation, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, and the Senate are also conducting separate investigations to determine whether administrative or criminal negligence occurred during the activity. /mcm