Ateneo drowning probe: Rene Baterbonia’s family shows up at CIDG

MANILA, Philippines — The family of late Ateneo de Manila University basketball player Rene Baterbonia arrived at the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP CIDG) headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City on Tuesday morning.

The Baterbonia family entered the CIDG office after 2 p.m. and left after 3:30 p.m. on June 30.

They did not give a statement to the media.

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READ: Hazing raps pushed vs Ateneo ex-coach, staff

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“The purpose of the meeting is two things. One, to inform them of the result of our investigation because they have the right to know,” CIDG director Maj. Gen. Robert Morico II explained in an interview with reporters in Camp Crame prior to the meeting.

“Second is to assure them, in all stages of prosecution, if this one goes to trial, that the CIDG will be there to continuously follow-up this case,” he added.

Baterbonia and teammate Divine Adili died after being swept away by large waves during a water training activity in Dipaculao, Aurora earlier this month.

CIDG investigators previously visited the Baterbonia family in Agusan del Sur last June 25 to take their statement as part of the investigation.

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A day later, the Department of the Interior and Local Government announced that the PNP CIDG had recommended hazing charges against resigned Ateneo de Manila University men’s basketball head coach Tab Baldwin and 10 of his staff over Baterbonia and Adili’s deaths.

Morico said the Baterbonia family may choose to file a separate complaint for the student-athlete’s death.

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“That is their option,” he said.

“They are very cooperative. They executed an affidavit last June 25 and we thank them. I think they are very satisfied also. That’s why we gave them an invitation that, if they want to, they can come here.,” he added.

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He further noted that the CIDG was working to reach Adili’s family in Nigeria. /mr