Ateneo explains few public updates: 'We focus on being present for the grieving families'

In their first media appearance since the death of student-athletes Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili, Ateneo de Manila University officials addressed concerns on the delays in the school’s public updates.

According to Ateneo's University president Fr. Bobby Yap, their priority in the aftermath of the incident was to support the grieving families.

“The few public updates were not because we did not care for the bereaved families. We believe and continue to believe that the public relations or institutional noise should not include about the families' grief,” Yap said in a press conference on Monday.

“We are truly sorry for not being quick at informing the public of the developments which has led to perceptions of the inaction.”

“We focus on being present for the grieving families in their darkest hour.”

Yap claimed that Ateneo has been supportive to the late players’ families since day one.

He said they shouldered all travel costs of Baterbonia’s family, who flew from Agusan del Sur to Manila a day after the incident. Yap also said the University has covered the funeral services of Baterbonia while sharing they have offered to fly Adili’s family from Nigeria to the Philippines.

“We share these details to assure everyone that we have been working tirelessly to fulfill our duties of care quietly and respectfully where it matters most,” Yap said.

Ateneo also vowed to provide material assistance to the families of both players.

“We see that not as a form of a legal settlement, but as a moral responsibility.”

Since the drowning incident on June 8, Ateneo has already released four statements and one pre-recorded video from now-resigned head coach Tab Baldwin.

Ateneo first announced Baterbonia’s and Adili’s deaths on June 8 followed by an update on June 9, where the University shared that their remains have returned to Quezon City.

On June 11, Ateneo posted two statements, one of which explained the silence of Baldwin, saying the University refrained him from making public statements to allow official process to proceed. The school also said Baldwin and team manager Epok Quimpo were on leave.

The following day, Baldwin addressed the public for the first time through a nearly nine-minute recorded video.

The families of both Baterbonia and Adili, however, have said as of Saturday that they are still seeking clarity on what actually happened in the activity.

READ MORE | Rene Baterbonia's mother says apology not enough after Tab Baldwin breaks silence

READ MORE | Adili's parents seek clarity in Divine's death: 'Sorry is not enough,' says mom

—JMB, GMA News