The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) has recommended the filing of homicide and reckless imprudence resulting in homicide charges against former Ateneo Blue Eagles head coach Tab Baldwin and eight others in connection with the deaths of student-athletes Rene Clert Baterbonia and Divine Adili during a team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora.
In a statement, the Department of Justice (DOJ) confirmed that it received the CIDG’s supplemental referral on July 1.
“The DOJ confirms receipt today, 1 July 2026, of a supplemental referral from the CIDG in relation to the same matter,” the department said.
The supplemental referral recommends the filing of charges for homicide and/or reckless imprudence resulting in homicide “as the evidence and applicable law may warrant.”
According to the CIDG, the recommendation was based on findings that Baldwin and the other respondents had a duty to ensure the safety of the participants but allegedly failed to exercise the necessary precautions during the team-building activity.
Investigators also found a direct link between the alleged negligence of the coaches, trainers, managers, and team officials and the deaths of Baterbonia and Adili.
The CIDG said team officials exercised supervision and control over the players during the activity but still proceeded with the water-based exercise despite hazardous conditions and the lack of adequate safety measures.
The DOJ said the supplemental referral will form part of the CIDG’s original referral dated June 26, which remains under evaluation.
Earlier, the CIDG also recommended the filing of complaints for alleged violations of Republic Act No. 11053, or the Anti-Hazing Act, against Baldwin and 11 others, including student managers and utility staff.
Meanwhile, Baldwin recently admitted during a Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) hearing that he did not possess an Alien Employment Permit (AEP) while working as a basketball coach in the Philippines, although he said he received a partially completed AEP application form by email in 2015.
His employment status is also under review following the deaths of the two student-athletes.
Former Ateneo players have likewise disputed Baldwin’s earlier claim that there had been no previous drowning scare during past team-building activities.
Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla earlier disclosed that investigators uncovered testimonies from former players indicating that a similar incident nearly turned fatal during a training camp in Dipaculao in 2016.
Four days after the June 8 tragedy, Baldwin publicly apologized to the families of the victims.
“I’m sorry. To the depth of my being, I’m sorry,” Baldwin said in a video released by Ateneo de Manila University on June 12.
He acknowledged feeling that he had failed as a leader and coach after the deaths of Baterbonia and Adili.
