Ateneo grads say school must ‘do better’ in Baterbonia-Adili probe

MANILA, Philippines — The graduating class of the Ateneo de Manila University called on the school to “do better” in its investigation into the fatal drowning of men’s basketball players Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili at an Aurora beach resort.

“There is no joyful way to graduate in the shadow of this incident, and we will not pretend otherwise, not until every question is answered, until every family is comforted, and until truth and justice are served,” the Ateneo Seniors’ Alliance said in a statement on Sunday night.

“Where our alma mater has fallen short of its own values or principles in handling this matter, we ask it, humbly and firmly, as its students, to do better,” it stressed.

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READ: Ateneo drowning case: CIDG subpoenas resort, local execs

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The Ateneo Seniors’ Alliance represents the graduating class of the university for School Year 2025–2026.

In the statement, the graduating class called on the university to carry out a “full, independent and exhaustive” investigation, the results of which would be released first to Baterbonia and Adili’s families then to the public.

The class also urged the university to face the families in person and that the latter be given “absolute protection from pressure, fear or reprisal.”

It further called on Ateneo to reform its policies to include “clearer and enforceable” safety standards for student-athletes.

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“We have stood before, we are standing now and we call on all Ateneans to stand up once again as we carry with us the memory of this tragedy and those who have died,” the Ateneo Seniors’ Alliance said.

“Together, we can ensure that accountability, justice and healing are pursued with urgency and sincerity,” it added.

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Baterbonia and Adili died after they were supposedly swept away by a current while training along shoreline of a beach resort in Dipaculao, Aurora last June 8.

Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin apologized over the incident in an eight-minute video posted on the university’s social media four days after the incident. /mr

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