Head coach Tab Baldwin, team manager Epok Quimpo on leave as Ateneo probes deaths of Baterbonia, Adili

Ateneo de Manila University announced that Blue Eagles head coach Tab Baldwin and team manager Epok Quimpo have gone on leave as the university conducts an inquiry regarding the death of players Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili.

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

In a statement on Thursday, the Ateneo said this is to ensure that the integrity of the investigation will be preserved.

“To preserve the total integrity, independence, and fairness of this investigation — and to ensure all participants can cooperate freely without any actual or perceived pressure — Head coach Thomas Anthony “Tab” Baldwin and Team Manager Christopher “Epok” Quimpo have gone on leave for the duration of the inquiry,” said in a statement signed by University president Fr Robert Yap SJ.

“The University is cooperating fully, transparently, and without reservation with all investigations being undertaken by national authorities and competent regulatory bodies.”

Ateneo said its Board of Trustees mandated a “thorough fact-finding inquiry” as “a loss of this magnitude demands absolute accountability, clarity, and an unyielding review of the safety and welfare of our community.”

“This inquiry will exhaustively examine the circumstances surrounding the incident, reconstruct a transparent timeline, review all athletic protocols, and interview every individual present. Upon its completion, the independent findings will be submitted directly to the Board of Trustees for swift and appropriate structual action, guided always by the requirements of law, due process, and our sacred responsibility to the familes.”

Ateneo also revealed what was initially gathered from those present in the incident.

According to the university, the team was conducting “conditioning exercises in knee-deep water near the shoreline when they were suddenly engulfed by massive waves and a powerful rip current.”

“While most of the players managed to fight their way back to safety, Rene and Divine were pulled away.”

Ateneo also said, “We state categorically to protect the dignity of our fallen players, that no weights of any kind were used during this exercise.”

—Justin Kenneth Carandang/JMB, GMA News