DILG: Baldwin knew 5 Ateneo players can't swim during Aurora activity

MANILA, Philippines — Resigned Ateneo de Manila University men’s basketball head coach Thomas Anthony “Tab” Baldwin allegedly knew five of his players can’t swim during their Aurora activity earlier this month, according to Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla.

“They knew something could happen because Baldwin asked his players who couldn’t swim. Five said they couldn’t,” Remulla said in a press briefing in Quezon City on Friday.

“When he knew there were players who couldn’t swim, he gave information on how to handle rip currents…But how can you teach them about rip currents if they can’t swim in the first place?”  he added.

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READ: Baldwin, ex-Ateneo players clash over past near-drownings —Remulla

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During the Ateneo team’s Aurora training activity last June 8, players Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili died after they were swept away by large waves.

At the briefing, Department of the Interior and Local Government legal and legislative affairs chief Brian Tomas explained that Baldwin told police investigators that he “intentionally” chose that their training activity take place from June 7 to 12.

“He was aware of the low-tide and high-tide information during the said dates,” Tomas said.

Tomas noted that, on June 8, the high tide was expected at 2:27 p.m., but the players at the Aurora training activity were asked to train in the water from 2 to 2:30 p.m.

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Given these developments, Remulla announced that Baldwin and 10 others had been recommended by the Philippine National Police to undergo preliminary investigation for violation of Republic Act No. 11053 or the Anti-Hazing Act.

Remulla cited the definition of hazing under the law, which included “forced calisthenics” and “exposure to the weather.”

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For his part, Baldwin previously apologized over Baterbonia and Adili’s deaths in a nearly nine-minute-long video posted on Ateneo’s social media page. /mr

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