NBI wants homicide raps vs Baldwin, 7 others

MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation on Monday recommended to the Department of Justice (DOJ) that former Ateneo de Manila University men’s basketball coach Tab Baldwin and seven others be charged with reckless imprudence resulting in two counts of homicide over the deaths of student-athletes Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili.

Aside from Baldwin, also named in the NBI report dated July 8 were strength and conditioning coaches Ceasar Vincent “CJ” Elumba and Grant Dearns; assistant coaches Reynaldo “Jon” Jacinto Jr., Dean Caesar Castaño, Sandro Nicholas Soriano and Hernan Ameer “Buboy” Domingo; and physical therapist John Eric Rueca.

Separate charges of simple negligence resulting in two counts of homicide were also recommended against Ateneo athletic director Emmanuel Fernandez, and Francisco Zubia III, Frederick Zubia and Yedda Mary Molina Rubio, the owners-managers of Hermanos Leisure and Agri-Farm Resort in Dipaculao, Aurora, where Baterbonia and Adili drowned during a team training activity on June 8.

Article continues after this advertisement

READ: ADMU issues statement over claims following Dole clarificatory hearing

FEATURED STORIES

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

At the same time, the NBI referred to the Department of the Interior and Local Government the filing of administrative charges against Dipaculao town officials, specifically the Business Permits and Licensing Officer, Municipal Tourism and Cultural Development Officer, and the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office head.

Bases for recommendations

According to the NBI, its recommendations were based on the findings of its Task Force Baterbonia and Adili which looked into the drowning of the student-athletes.

The bureau’s homicide division interviewed several people during its investigation, including Baldwin, Ateneo president Fr. Roberto “Bobby” Yap, SJ, over 20 current and former Ateneo men’s basketball players, members of the coaching and utility staff, and the resort owner and staff.

READ: Tab Baldwin served as Ateneo consultant, not employee – counsel

Article continues after this advertisement

In a summary of the recommended charges posted on its Facebook account, the NBI said that Baldwin “conceived, planned and directed the sea drill” and “chose the open-surf-exposed site” while Elumba “designed and led the regimen culminating in the sea drill.”

Dearns, Jacinto, Castaño, Soriano and Domingo, on the other hand, conducted or helped conduct the drill but failed to ensure there were adequate safeguards at hand.

Article continues after this advertisement

As for Rueca, the NBI noted that as the first aid/basic life support-certified health officer, he should have intervened when “a nonswimmer entered open surf with no medical or evacuation standby arranged.”

The NBI also said that Fernandez’s duty was to “promulgate and enforce athlete safety protocols.” It added that Francisco Zubia, for his part, failed to ensure the resort’s lifeguard accreditation while Frederick Zubia and Rubio shared the operational duty to maintain beach safety measures.

The Dicupalao municipal officials, on the other hand, were cited for not enforcing regulations regarding standard operating procedures, resort safety inspections and lifeguard safety, among others.

Ateneo statement

Reacting to the NBI recommendations, Ateneo said in a statement that it will continue to respect the ongoing case process and fully cooperate with all lawful investigations.

“The University also remains committed to providing whatever support is appropriate to members of the Ateneo community affected by these developments, while respecting the rights of all individuals to due process,” it added.

No charges have so far been filed in court against Baldwin and his former coaching staff over the drowning deaths. On June 26, the Philippine National Police recommended to the DOJ that he and 10 members of the coaching and support staff be charged with hazing for subjecting the victims to “intense physical activity” and hazardous sea conditions.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.

Your subscription has been successful.

This was followed by another PNP recommendation on July 1 that Baldwin and eight others be charged with two counts of homicide and two counts of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide. —WITH A REPORT FROM INQUIRER RESEARCH