Agusan del Sur governor denies arranging lawyers for Baterbonia family

Agusan del Sur Governor Santiago Cane Jr. said he did not arrange for lawyers Israelito Torreon and Jimmy Bondoc – or for anyone – to represent the family of the late Ateneo student-athlete Rene Baterbonia, who drowned during a team activity in Dipaculao, Aurora earlier this week.

“I did not arrange for anyone to act as lawyers for the Baterbonias po,” Cane said in a message to GMA News Online on Thursday night.

Cane said he does not know personally know Torreon and Bondoc, who are now representing the family of the late student-athlete who drowned in Dipaculao, Aurora on June 8, 2026.

“Atty. Torreon called and told me that he’s willing render his services for the Baterbonias pro bono. I thanked him for volunteering but I did not tell him that I will arrange with the family,” he said.

Cane went on: “What I said was it was up to the family who to get as their lawyer should they decide to seek justice in the court.”

He said he does not know how Bondoc “came into the picture.”

GMA News Online is reaching out to Torreon and Bondoc for comment and will publish their reply once available.

In a press conference on Wednesday, Baterbonia’s mother Rovelyn was asked if Bondoc was the family’s legal counsel.

“Pinadala sila ni governor para kung ano mang mga papeles na papirmahan sa akin, sila ang magbabasa bago ako pumirma,” Rovelyn said.

(They were sent by the governor, to read whatever papers that I need to sign.)

She did not name the governor she was referring to, but earlier in the press conference, Rovelyn said the governor of her home province assisted them in flying to Manila.

The late Baterbonia hailed from Talacogon, Agusan del Sur.

Earlier on Thursday, Torreon said the Department of Justice (DOJ) has received their request for an Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO) on Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin.

Baldwin is currently on leave, along with team manager Epok Quimpo as the Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) conducts its own inquiry on the death of Baterbonia and foreign student-athlete Divine Adili. — JMA, GMA News