House resolution seeking probe on Ateneo cagers’ death filed

MANILA, Philippines — A resolution seeking a congressional inquiry into the deaths of two members of the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) men’s basketball team has been filed by several ranking officials of the House of Representatives.

In a statement on Thursday, Deputy Speakers Paolo Ortega V and Jefferson Khonghun, along with Deputy Majority Leader Ernest Dionisio Jr. and Assistant Majority Leader Zia Alonto Adiong confirmed that they have filed House Resolution (HR) No. 1129 which seeks an investigation on the drowning incident in Aurora, leading to the death of Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili.

According to the four lawmakers, the goal of the investigation is not only to get to the bottom of the incident, but also to strengthen protective measures for all student-athletes nationwide — since the incident happened during a school-sanctioned team-building activity.

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“Student-athletes are first and foremost students. Their pursuit of excellence in sports must never come at the cost of their lives,” the four lawmakers, who form part of the House’s Young Guns bloc, said.

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“This tragedy compels us to ensure that every school, coach, and athletic program upholds the highest standards of safety. We owe it to these young athletes and their families to turn this loss into meaningful reform,” they added

According to the resolution, there are existing laws that mandate schools to protect student-athletes, like Republic Act No. 10676 or the Student-Athletes Protection Act and the Family Code of the Philippines.

“These deaths must not be viewed in isolation. We must examine the entire framework governing student-athletes—from basic education to higher education—to prevent future tragedies,” the House leaders said.

“Safety should never be optional or left to the discretion of individual institutions,” they added.

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Part of the inquiry will be a review of “mandatory risk assessments and safety protocols for training, team-building, and off-campus activities,” along with the following activities:

examination of requirements for qualified medical personnel, lifeguards, emergency transport, and communication systems

checking of certification and training for coaches and staff in first aid, CPR, water safety, and emergency response

possible strengthening of reporting systems for serious incidents

Last June 8, Ateneo announced that Baterbonia and Adili died while the team was in the middle of a team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora.  Baterbonia, 19, recently played in the Palarong Pambansa finals two weeks ago and 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

Initial reports from the Police Regional Office 3 stated that Baterbonia and Adili “were swimming when they were reportedly carried by a strong current into deeper waters.”

Police said an investigation is underway.

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

Just this Monday, ADMU president Fr. Roberto Yap, SJ formally apologized to the bereaved families and the entire Ateneo community, saying that the educational institution must “look inward” and evaluate its system to ensure that student-athletes will remain safe and fulfill their dreams.

“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 for your prayers and your forgiveness,” Yap said during a press conference held at ADMU grounds.

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

In the same speech, Yap confirmed that ADMU has accepted the resignation of men’s basketball team head coach Tab Baldwin.

According to Yap, the week-long team-building of its men’s basketball team has been a traditional activity, extending to the time of Baldwin’s predecessors.

Yap said that based on what he knows, the tradition was already present when Norman Black was coaching the Blue Eagles.  Black started coaching the Blue Eagles in 2005, while Baldwin was coach from 2016.

The ADMU President said it was the team’s fifth time at the same Aurora resort.

On Tuesday, Ortega said the coaching staff of Ateneo men’s basketball team will be at the top of the list of resource persons to be invited by the House for its investigation on the death of the student-athletes.

Ortega said the team management, along with the resort owner and the local government units involved may also be summoned during the inquiry.

Aside from the incident, Ateneo was criticized for a supposed inaction after the deaths of the two student-athletes, with several netizens questioning the alleged lack of urgency from school authorities.  The school released a few statements after the June 8 incident, but they were not statements from the university leadership.

Monday’s press conference was the first time that Yap publicly addressed the matter.

However, Yap clarified that their silence, despite a week after Baterbonia and Adili’s deaths, was out of respect for the grieving families.

Yap said the university “chose direct, involved action for the families and the members of the team” instead of broadcasting these to the public, adding that public relations must not come first over grieving families.

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According to Yap, Ateneo has reached out to Baterbonia’s family since day one, noting that they extended every possible assistance even if the bereaved family chose the help offered by the Agusan del Sur provincial government. /jpv