PNP: At least 10 face raps over Ateneo cagers’ death

PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. —PHOTO FROM OFFICE OF THE CHIEF PNP/FACEBOOK

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police will recommend the filing of charges against at least 10 personnel of the Ateneo de Manila University over the drowning deaths of two of its student-athletes, its chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said on Wednesday.

But before it wraps up its investigation this week, the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) summoned business tycoon Manny V. Pangilinan to appear on Thursday. On Wednesday, it heard statements from Ateneo president Fr. Roberto Yap, SJ, and two former players.

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“Simply put, we have a case. And it’s up to the prosecution to file a case. On our end, we will forward or refer these records of investigation to the prosecution and they will prosecute,” Nartatez told reporters.

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He confirmed that 10 or 11 personnel will be charged, mostly staff of the Ateneo men’s basketball team.

Final report

The filing of complaints was corroborated by Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, who said the CIDG will submit its findings to the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Friday.

“Our investigation is nearly complete. It’s rather conclusive,” he told reporters on Wednesday. “On Friday, we’re submitting this to the DOJ (Department of Justice) for case filing. Just wait for our final report on Friday and you will see, we will explain to you what we see in our investigation.”

The CIDG opened its investigation into the fatal drownings of basketball players Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili while training along the shoreline of Dipaculao, Aurora, on June 8, to look into possible cases of homicide or hazing.

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“This investigation has been going on for the last two weeks. We interviewed almost a hundred people. We’ve collected maybe 1,200 pages of testimonies from the participants there and we’re nearly complete,” Remulla said. “It’s conclusive and the CIDG is very confident with the case buildup and you will see.”

MVP summoned

To complete its investigation, the CIDG summoned Pangilinan, whose MVP Sports Foundation has been a major supporter of the Ateneo men’s basketball program, as well as the San Beda Red Lions, Gilas Pilipinas, and several national sports associations in boxing, weightlifting, golf, cycling, football, and taekwondo.

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“The only remaining people yet to give their statements are some former players and the management of Ateneo,’’ said Remulla, whose department oversees the PNP. “Today, we have Ateneo men’s basketball team chaplain Fr. Nemy Que. Tomorrow, Manny Pangilinan will be summoned.”

There was no immediate comment from Pangilinan, but MVP Sports Foundation president Al Panlilio had earlier clarified that its involvement in the Ateneo Blue Eagles men’s basketball program was limited to funding support.

On Wednesday morning, Yap and former basketball players Gian Mamuyac and Tyler Tio showed up at the CIDG office in Camp Crame, Quezon City. None of them gave statements to the media.

University officials have been roundly criticized over the fatal drownings of Baterbonia, 18, and Nigerian player Adili, 21, and their long silence after their deaths. Yap had apologized for their deaths and explained that Ateneo officials decided against immediately releasing statements to the media in deference to their grief-stricken families.

Tab’s job permit

Resigned men’s basketball team head coach Tab Baldwin has yet to submit his explanation on the validity of his employment in the country, Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino said.

Baldwin was given until June 25 to prove the validity of his alien employment permit (AEP) and explain the June 8 team building that claimed the lives of the two players.

The agency set the formal hearing on his working permit validity for June 29, which Baldwin must attend, Tolentino said.

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Aside from a valid AEP, Baldwin is required to present the following documents: valid employment contract with Ateneo; proof that AEP covers full scope of his coaching and supervisory activities; documents showing compliance with the Department of Labor and Employment’s reporting requirements, and written explanation of the June 8 team building in Aurora. —WITH A REPORT FROM DIANNE SAMPANG