Matibag sympathizes with Ateneo athletes' families, vows fair probe

[Updated June 25, 2026, 3:42 p.m.]

MANILA, Philippines —  National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag has assured the mother of Ateneo student-athlete Rene Baterbonia the bureau will be “fair” and “professional” in its investigation of the death of his son and fellow student-athlete Divine Adili during a team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora, last June 8.

Matibag said this in an ambush interview with reporters on Thursday when asked about the mother of Baterbonia’s cry for the truth during the burial of his son on Wednesday.

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“We will be fair. We will be professional here. Wherever the evidence takes us, we will take it,” Matibag said.

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READ: Baterbonia returns home to chants of ‘MVP!’

“I can sympathize with the mother, I understand that,” he also said.

According to Matibag, the bureau is intending to finish its investigation on the drowning incident this week.

He said the bureau will then submit its findings to the Department of Justice, which will assess if there is any criminal liability.

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When asked for the NBI’s initial assessment of whether there were personalities who could be liable for the incident, Matibag said, “I can’t say that until we finish our investigation.”

“I don’t want to make an initial or partial statement regarding the matter. It’s quite sensitive,” said Matibag.

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Ateneo de Manila University president Fr. Bobby Yap is scheduled to appear before the NBI Homicide Division on Friday to provide testimonies and specific documents or records to the bureau.

Matibag said they are still studying whether the bureau would also summon businessman Manuel Pangilinan, chair of the MVP Sports Foundation, which is identified as a key supporter of the Ateneo men’s basketball program.

After the NBI created a special task force last June 11 to conduct a probe on the incident, it already interviewed several personalities, including resigned head coach Tab Baldwin; more than 20 active and previous Ateneo men’s basketball players; coaching staff, including resigned team manager Epok Quimpo; student managers and utility workers; and the resort owners and staff in Dipaculao, where the drowning incident took place.

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Matibag earlier said the NBI will base its findings on the evidence and testimonies of the personalities being interviewed by the bureau. /mr