Remulla: Support for UP has nothing to do with Ateneo probe

MANILA, Philippines — Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said his support for the University of the Philippines (UP) men’s basketball team was not related to his department’s investigation into the death of two Ateneo de Manila University student-athletes.

“Number one, I’m not the team manager. The team manager is Coach Bo Perasol. I’m only one of the alumni helping the UP men’s basketball team” Remulla said in a press briefing in Quezon City on Friday.

“I’m doing this investigation because I’m the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government. It is part of my duty to make sure that justice is done. UP has nothing to do with this,” he stressed.

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

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Remulla, a UP graduate, most recently supported the Fighting Maroons during their 2025 stint at the University Athletics Association of the Philippines men’s basketball tournament last December, where they ultimately lost the championship to the De La Salle University Green Archers.

Remulla further noted that he studied at Ateneo de Manila University for high school; and De La Salle University for grade school.

This came two weeks after the DILG, through the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP CIDG), launched an investigation into the fatal drownings of Ateneo players Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili.

The two student-athletes died after being swept away by large waves during a training activity in the water in Dipaculao, Aurora last June 8.

Remulla earlier announced that the PNP CIDG recommended that the resigned Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin and 10 others be charged with violations of Republic Act No. 11053 over the incident. /mr

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