Ateneo team-building activity held 300 meters from resort's designated safe area — police

Basketball players of the Ateneo de Manila University conducted their team-building activity about 300 meters away from the beach, despite reportedly being advised by the resort management to hold the activity in the waters just in front of the establishment, the Aurora Police said.

According to Jun Veneracion’s report on “24 Oras” on Wednesday, the Aurora Police said the basketball team wanted to be left alone despite advice from the resort management.

“Noong unang dating po nila, nag-uusap sila na ito yung kondisyon. Sa tapat ng resort ay safe diyan. Mababaw diyan. Alam natin ang sitwasyon ng dagat diyan. Pero gaya po ng sinabi ko kanina, ’yun pong team ay humingi po sila na huwag silang pakialaman sa gagawin nilang activity,” said Aurora Provincial Police acting director Police Colonel Percival Pineda.

(When they first arrived, they were informed that the area directly in front of the resort was safe and shallow. We know the sea conditions there. However, as I mentioned earlier, the team requested that they not be disturbed or interfered with during their activity.)

But the police did not see any indication of foul play based on the affidavits of those who provided first aid to Rene Baterbonia.

“Base sa affidavit ng lifeguard ay walang napansin na pabigat sa paa, kamay o katawan ng player, so yun po sinabi ng lifeguard. Sabi naman ng MDRRMO ng taga-Dipaculao, walang anumang pasa na siya aming bigyan ng paunang lunas,” said Pineda.

(Based on the lifeguard's affidavit, he did not notice any weights attached to the player's feet, hands, or body. That was the lifeguard's statement. Meanwhile, personnel from the MDRRMO of Dipaculao said they observed no bruises on him when first aid was administered.)

The Philippine National Police (PNP) assured the public that it will spare no one in its ongoing investigation.

“As to the negligence of anybody o yung liability ng kung sino mang partido ay ito ay malalaman natin once the investigation has been completed,” said PNP acting public information office chief Police Col. Allen Rae Co.

(As to whether there was negligence by anyone, or the liability of any party, we will determine that once the investigation has been completed.)

Questions are now being raised about what exactly takes place during the training activities, especially amid the resurfacing of past interviews with several former basketball players from the Ateneo. Some past players described the training in Aurora as “wild.”

GMA News Online is trying to get a comment from the Ateneo and will publish it as soon as it is available.

‘Wild,’ ‘Hell week’

In a 2022 interview on the "Shoot First Podcast," former Ateneo stars Gian Mamuyac and Tyler Tio were asked about their training camp in Aurora, the same province where Baterbonia and Divine Adili also died during a training activity.

“Walang basketball doon (There was no basketball involved there),” said Tio. While Mamuyac added, “Dagat lang at buhangin (It was just the sea and the sand).”

Both players said that the training tested their mental toughness.

In another podcast interview, former Ateneo player SJ Belangel had the same sentiments on the one week training in Aurora, describing it as a “deadly training.” He also said, “So Coach Tab is not your friend.”

“Parang pipigain ka doon…brings something out in you…And at the same time, utak na lang gumagana, your body hindi na,” Belangel also said.

(It's like you're being squeezed to your limits there—it brings something out of you. At the same time, only your mind keeps functioning; your body no longer does.)

Shaun Ildefonso, who once played for the Ateneo Blue Eagles before moving to National University, said in a past interview: “Hell week talaga, para siyang ‘Survivor’ (It really is a hell week—it's like being on 'Survivor’).”

The Department of Justice has also directed the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to form a task force to investigate the deaths of the two student-athletes.

The NBI will determine whether there is sufficient basis to recommend the filing of charges before the DOJ. –Vince Angelo Ferreras/NB, GMA News