'MVP,' 'justice' chants trail Rene Baterbonia's remains to Agusan del Sur hometown

The funeral convoy transporting the remains of Ateneo de Davao University student-athlete Rene “Bobet” Baterbonia departed on Monday morning for his hometown of Talacogon, Agusan del Sur.

According to JP Soriano’s report on “24 Oras,” crowds lined the streets of every town that the convoy passed through, with mourners chanting “MVP” or Most Valuable Player.

Baterbonia bagged the MVP title during the 2025 Palarong Pambansa after leading the Davao Region basketball team to victory.

The onlookers – composed of students, employees, and ordinary residents – were also heard shouting “Justice for Rene.”

Baterbonia is currently hailed as a “sports hero” of the Davao Region.

Before departing for his hometown, the wake for Baterbonia’s remains was held at his alma mater in Davao City, where the Baterbonia family expressed their gratitude to everyone who offered their condolences.

In his eulogy, Baterbonia’s older brother promised that he would strive to fulfill Rene’s promise to lift their family out of poverty.

“Bet, ‘yung mga plano natin noon na gusto nating abutin, ako na lang ang magsisikap para sa mga nakababata nating kapatid. Magsisikap ako para sa’yo. Gagawin ko ang lahat para sa pamilya natin,” Rubeyan Baterbonia said in the vernacular.

(Bobet, those plans we had that we wanted to achieve – I will be the one to work hard now for our younger siblings. I will give it my all for you. I will do everything for our family.)

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, a fellow Ateneo de Davao alumnus, also attended the public viewing.

During Baterbonia’s final wake, Ateneo de Davao announced that its senior high school covered court will be named the “Rene Baterbonia Covered Court.” They will also retire jersey number two that Baterbonia wore.

In effect, the number “2” jersey will no longer be issued to any future Ateneo de Davao senior high school player.

Baterbonia’s wake will resume at the Municipal Gymnasium of Talacogon.

The family will hold a private viewing on Monday evening, before the venue opens to the public at 1 p.m. on Tuesday.

Ongoing probes are underway into the deaths of 18-year-old Baterbonia and fellow student-athlete Divine Adili, who drowned during their team-building activity in Aurora. — Lyjah Tiffany Bonzo/JMA, GMA News