The mother of deceased Ateneo basketball recruit Rene Baterbonia is seeking answers following the drowning incident that claimed the lives of her son and fellow player Divine Adili during a training camp in Aurora province.
In an interview with GMA News, Rovelyn Baterbonia questioned the circumstances surrounding her son’s death and said she believes there may have been foul play.
She said her son had bruises on different parts of his body and asked why he was allegedly in the water with weights attached to his hands and feet.
Rovelyn also said no representative from Ateneo de Manila University had contacted her following the incident.
Authorities, however, said there is currently no indication of foul play.
According to Lt. Col. Arnel Pineda, initial accounts from individuals who were present indicated that the players were participating in an activity along the shoreline when they unexpectedly reached a deeper section of the water.
Police said the incident occurred at around 2:40 p.m. near a private resort where the Ateneo Blue Eagles were holding a training camp in preparation for the upcoming UAAP season.
Baterbonia was set to begin his collegiate career with Ateneo, while Adili was preparing for his sophomore season.
Authorities said both players received immediate medical assistance, but efforts to save them were unsuccessful.
Police investigators said the information gathered so far points to an accidental drowning and that no evidence of foul play has been established at this stage of the investigation.
