Rene Baterbonia's mother questions weights, bruises after tragic drowning

The mother of Rene Baterbonia, in an emotional interview, asked why her son was out at sea with weights on his hands and feet, and at one point said she believed there was foul play as the young basketball player also had bruises on parts of his body.

In her interview with GMA News’ Mariz Umali on Tuesday, Rovelyn said no one from the Ateneo De Manila University has reached out to her following the drowning incident that claimed her son’s life and that of Divine Adili.

“Noong narinig niya yung boses ko, para siyang umiiyak sa dami ng luhang lumalabas sa mga mata niya. Sa isang saglit lang, yung pangarap ng aking anak, winasak nila. Ang malaking tanong ko talaga, bakit?” Rovelyn said.

“Ang dami nila dun tapos walang nag-rescue. ‘Yung anak ko, ba’t nila pinapalangoy nang may 20 kilos na bigat?” she added.

Asked if she believed there was foul play, Rovelyn said, “Talaga. Kasi yung anak ko ang daming pasa. saan na ba galing yung pasa.”

GMA News Online is seeking comment from the Ateneo and will publish it as soon as it is available.

Police investigators have said they have yet to see foul play in the drowning incident.

"Base po sa salaysay ng mga nakausap natin na kasama nila ay meron po silang activity na kung saan lumalakad po ang mga players sa tabing dagat, hanggang hita po 'yung lalim ng tubig. At bigla na lang po silang napunta sa malalim na parte."

(The leadership of the Aurora PPO is deeply saddened by the tragedy that happened in our province. And of course, we express our condolences to the friends and family of the players who passed.... Based on the account of the people they were with that we spoke to, they had an activity where the players were walking on the beach, with the water up to their thighs. And suddenly they found themselves in the deep part.)

Pineda narrated that the incident happened at around 2:40 p.m. in front of a private resort where the Ateneo Blue Eagles were holding a training camp in preparation for UAAP Season 89, where Baterbonia was set to start his collegiate journey and Adili was expected to play his sophomore year.

Pineda shared that Baterbonia and Adili quickly received initial medical response while the PNP responded immediately after receiving the call. Unfortunately, both players passed.

"So base po sa ating nakuhang salaysay sa mga kasama niya, ito pong insidente na ito ay talaga pong purely accident. Natural accident po 'yung pangyayari. Hindi po talaga inaasahan," Pineda added.

"Sa ngayon, wala po tayong nakikitang foul play sa aksidente na ito."

(Based on the account of the people they were with, this incident is really purely an accident. What happened was a natural accident. This was not expected.... We do not see any foul play in this accident at this time.) –NB, GMA News