Ateneo head apologizes: 2 young men entrusted to us didn’t return home

MANILA, Philippines — Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) President Roberto Yap, SJ has apologized to the families of Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili, who died during a team-building activity, saying it breaks their hearts to know that two young men entrusted to them did not return home.

In a press conference on Monday afternoon, Yap said Ateneo leadership acknowledges the pain of the two families, adding that feeling anger toward the university management is natural.

Both Baterbonia and Adili died after drowning during a school-sanctioned activity in Aurora province on June 8.

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“To the families of Rene and Divine, we 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. On behalf of Ateneo de Manila University, I am here to say simply and directly, we are truly, deeply sorry, we apologize to the families and the entire community for the agonizing pain of this tragedy,” Yap said.

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“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 your prayers and your forgiveness,” he added.

According to Yap, who appeared to be shaken while delivering the press statement, no words are enough to describe the incident.

“No word in any language is capable of describing this loss.  When a young man dies, we mourn the loss of life, the shattering of dreams.  We mourn the potential that won’t come true, the empty chairs at family tables and the futures that were supposed to unfold at our playing courts and far beyond them,” he said.

Ateneo announced last Monday that Baterbonia and Adili died after drowning during a team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora. Baterbonia, 19, recently played in the Palarong Pambansa finals two weeks ago and had committed to the Blue Eagles program, while 21-year-old Nigerian foreign student Adili played in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament.

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READ: Ateneo’s Rene Baterbonia, Divine Adili die in drowning incident

According to the initial report from the Police Regional Office 3, Baterbonia and Adili “were swimming when they were reportedly carried by a strong current into deeper waters.”

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Police said an investigation is underway.

READ: Ateneo players ‘were swimming when carried by strong current’ – police

Several lawmakers, including leaders from the House of Representatives—Deputy Speakers Paolo Ortega V and Jefferson Khonghun, and Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong—have vowed to file a resolution seeking a congressional inquiry into the incident.

“The House Young Guns strongly call for an immediate, thorough, and independent investigation into the circumstances of this incident. To ensure accountability and drive meaningful change, we will file a House resolution seeking a congressional inquiry into the drowning incident,” the lawmakers said.

“This resolution will compel relevant agencies to examine safety protocols, risk assessment procedures, supervision standards, emergency preparedness, and all other factors that may have contributed to the tragedy,” they added.

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According to the lawmakers, the investigation will allow Congress to craft laws that will ensure the safety of student-athletes. /mcm