Aquino seeks Senate probe on deaths of Ateneo players Baterbonia, Adili

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Senator Bam Aquino asked the Senate to look into the deaths of Ateneo de Manila University basketball players Rene Klert Baterbonia and Divine Adili.

The two student-athletes died during an off-campus activity in Aurora on June 8.

Aquino made the call in a privilege speech during the Senate special session on Wednesday, June 17.

Call for truth

Aquino said the families of Baterbonia and Adili deserve truth and clarity.

“Noong ika-walo ng Hunyo, dalawang kabataan na puno ng pangarap, dalawang atleta ng Ateneo de Manila University men’s basketball team, sina Rene Klert Baterbonia at Divine Adili, ang binawian ng buhay sa isang off-campus activity sa Aurora,” Aquino said.

(Last June 8, two young men who were full of dreams, two athletes of the Ateneo de Manila University men’s basketball team, Rene Klert Baterbonia and Divine Adili, lost their lives in an off-campus activity in Aurora.)

READ MORE: Death of Rene Baterbonia, Adili: Why did Ateneo stay silent?

Aquino said that he visited Baterbonia’s parents last Thursday, June 11, and that the family had one request amid their grief, anger, and pain.

“Iisa lang po ang kanilang hiling: ang katotohanan. Ano ba talaga ang nangyari sa kanilang anak?” Aquino said. He added that any parent would ask the same question.

(They had only one request: the truth. What really happened to their son?)

Ateneo players’ fate spotlights student safety

Aquino said the tragedy needs a clear review, and that the Senate could help uncover what happened.

“Ang trahedyang sumapit kina Rene at Divine ay nangangailangan ng kalinawan at katotohanan,” he said.

(The tragedy that has taken the lives of Rene and Divine demands clarity and truth.)

Aquino asked the Senate to refer the matter to the Committee on Basic Education and the Committee on Justice.

He said that the hearing should review school and sports policies on student safety.

He also said the inquiry should look into rules of the Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, and athletic bodies.

Safer Schools Act

Aquino said that the findings could help strengthen proposals under the Safer Schools Act.

The presiding officer also expressed sympathy for the families of the two athletes. He described Baterbonia as a talented player with great promise.

The Senate later moved to refer Aquino’s manifestation to the proper committee.

“Para po sa katarungan, para po sa kaligtasan, para po sa ating kabataan, at siyempre po para kay Rene at Divine,” he said. (For justice, for safety, for our youth, and of course, for Rene and Divine.

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