Ateneo president appears before NBI for probe into 2 cagers' death

MANILA, Philippines — Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) President Roberto “Bobby” Yap, SJ, on Friday appeared before the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to provide testimonies and documents necessary for the investigation into the drowning incident that killed student-athletes Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili.

Yap arrived at the NBI – Homicide Division office at around 9:50 a.m.

Yap refused to comment when asked if he has reached out to Baterbonia and Adili’s parents.

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The NBI Homicide Division earlier issued only a subpoena duces tecum to Yap, ordering him to bring specific documents or records needed in the investigation.

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But the bureau later also issued a subpoena ad testificandum, requiring the Ateneo president to provide oral testimonies regarding the incident.

READ: Matibag vows Baterbonia’s mom: ‘We’ll be fair in our probe’

Last Friday, June 19, Yap’s lawyers paid a courtesy call to the NBI to inform the bureau that Yap would appear and submit the necessary documents this Friday.

Yap, in a press conference on June 15, apologized to Baterbonia and Adili’s families, saying that “two young men entrusted to our care did not return home, and that fact breaks our hearts.”

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Baterbonia and Adili, both ADMU men’s basketball team players, drowned during a team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora.

Baterbonia was laid to rest in his hometown in Talacogon, Agusan del Sur on Wednesday, while Adili’s remains were flown to Nigeria.

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

NBI Director Melvin Matibag earlier said the bureau intends to finish its investigation into the drowning incident this week.

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He said the bureau will then submit its findings to the Department of Justice for proper disposition and assessment of any criminal liability. /gsg