Baterbonia's mother seeks clarity on son's drowning incident: 'May kulang'

Rovelyn Baterbonia is seeking clarity on the circumstances that led to the death of her son, Rene, during the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles’ team-building activity.

READ MORE | Ateneo recruit Rene Baterbonia, foreign student athlete Divine Adili die in drowning incident

Rene died on Monday, with the Aurora Provincial Police Office saying that the 18-year-old player died of “asphyxia by drowning.”

In a press conference on Wednesday, Rovelyn said she wants to know the full picture of the incident.

“May kulang sa explanation nila. Pero, hintayin ko na lang muna ‘yung ibang coaches para ma-explain nila sa akin kung ano talaga ang nangyari,” Rovelyn said.

“’Yung mga info, kulang and then kulang ‘yung pag-ano nila sa akin, pagpahibalo ba, pagpahibalo (informing) sa parents, kulang.”

Rovelyn also sought clarification on whether weights were attached to the players’ bodies, which was eventually determined not to be the case.

“Wala daw nilagay dito na mga weights. And then, aksidente lang daw talaga yung nangyari,” Rovelyn narrated as she recalled her talk with a coach.

“Sinabi ko lang sa kanila nga, aksidente ‘yung nangyari dahil sa kakulangan n'yo. Kasi punta kayo doon, wala kayong rescuer. May medic daw sila pero first aid lang, ganyan.”

“And then [around] 30 or 20 minutes sa beach hanggang patungo sa hospital. Siyempre ang layo na. Then sinabi nila na may mga coach naman daw para magtulong sila pero hindi na lang daw talaga nila na-rescue. Aksidente lang daw talaga.”

Asked if she wants to pursue a case, Rovelyn said she has yet to decide, as she wants to address more immediate concerns first.

—Justin Kenneth Carandang/JMB, GMA News