Ateneo athletes deaths: NBI intends to finish probe this week

MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) intends to finish its probe into the deaths of Ateneo players Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili this week, according to Director Melvin Matibag.

In an ambush interview on Tuesday, Matibag said the NBI originally targeted to finalized the investigation last Friday, but the other personalities being subpoenaed in connection with the incident have yet to appear due to prior commitments.

READ: Tab Baldwin set to appear before NBI on Tuesday

READ: Rene Baterbonia, Divine Adili dili biktima sa hazing — Benjie Paras

“We intend to finish the investigation by this week,” Matibag said, noting that the bureau already finished the autopsy report of Baterbonia and Adili, which will be given to their families.

“Hopefully we can finish by this week depending on what we are investigating. Of course we also set a timeframe to do this,” he pointed out.

This Tuesday afternoon, resigned Ateneo men’s basketball team head coach Tab Baldwin is scheduled to appear before the NBI after he failed last week to comply with a subpoena issued to him.

The NBI chief said they will compare the testimonies that Baldwin will give to them with his statements to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group last Friday.

READ: PNP CIDG to Tab Baldwin: Face Ateneo drowning probe

He also said the NBI will base its findings on the evidence and testimonies of the personalities being interviewed by the bureau.

So far since its investigation last week, the NBI has already interviewed the resort owner and staff in Dipaculao, Aurora, where the drowning incident took place, more than 20 active and previous Ateneo men’s basketball players, and coaching staff, including resigned team manager Epok Quimpo.

The deaths of Baterbonia and Adili has stirred the interest of the nation with different theories being formulated among them hazing. With the NBI set to conclude its investigations soon, it is hoped that questions will soon be laid to rest like the victims.

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