The Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group has recommended the filing of complaints for alleged violations of the Anti-Hazing Act against former Ateneo de Manila University men’s basketball head coach Tab Baldwin and 10 other coaching staff members over the deaths of student-athletes Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili.
The recommendation follows the CIDG’s investigation into the team-building activity in Aurora where the two players drowned.
In a press briefing Friday with Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, the CIDG said it recommended that the Department of Justice conduct case build-up, evaluation and preliminary investigation for alleged violations of Republic Act No. 11053, or the Anti-Hazing Act.
Aside from Baldwin, those named in the recommendation include strength and conditioning coaches Grant Dearns, Ceasar Vincent Javellana Elumba; assistant coaches Dean Caesar B. Castaño, Sandro Nicholas Romero Soriano and Reynaldo C. Jacinto Jr.; student managers Paolo Manuel Maceda Adevoso and Andrew Lorenzo Bondoc Salud; physical therapist John Eric Quiambao Rueca; and utility staff Aris Ramos Ponce and Joel Palmiano Rapa.
The DOJ confirmed it has received the CIDG recommendation and said it will first evaluate whether the evidence submitted is sufficient to support a preliminary investigation. If additional evidence is needed, the department said it will coordinate with the CIDG for further case build-up.
Remulla said the Anti-Hazing Act is no longer limited to traditional initiation rites and now covers any act that causes physical or psychological suffering, harm or injury to recruits, applicants or members, including forced physical activities and exposure to harsh conditions.
“Ang dati pong iniisip natin, ang hazing ay initiations lang. Ngunit dito, ang team building at training ay nag-cross over papunta sa hazing,” Remulla said.
Authorities said their investigation found the team-building activity was conducted to determine which 17 players would make Ateneo’s final roster for the University Athletic Association of the Philippines, with three of the 20 participants expected to be cut.
Ateneo interim head coach Louis Alas told investigators the activity was not basketball-specific but was intended to assess the players’ physical condition and mental toughness.
Baterbonia was buried Wednesday in Talacogon, Agusan del Sur, while Adili’s remains were repatriated to his family in Nigeria on Thursday.
