Ateneo students call for university accountability, transparency in walkout, graduation rites

Ateneo de Manila University students called on the university administration for accountability, transparency, and justice following the deaths of basketball players Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili.

The two players died in a drowning incident during a team-building activity in Aurora on June 8.

The Sanggunian ng mga Mag-aaral ng mga Paaralang Loyola ng Ateneo de Manila, the university's student council, led a community walkout on Friday in honor of Baterbonia and Adili.

“Bearing the heavy weight of the sorrow as we grieve the loss of students Rene Clert Baterbonia and Chukwuemeka Divine Adili, the university community will come together in solidarity and support in an academic walk-out and candlelighting. Rooted in love and care, we unite in calls for truth, justice, clarity, and accountability,” the Sanggunian said in a social media post.

“This institution is meant to answer to the very community which it has failed its duty to protect. Students, faculty, and employees will gather to remember and honor Rene and Divine, and resound the collective aspiration for a university where community involvement, safety, and wellbeing is nurtured.”

The protest action was held on graduation day of the Ateneo's Class of 2026, many of whom wore black arm bands during the university rites as a show of solidarity to the grieving families and the school community.

Student publication The Guidon, meanwhile, shared photos of graduating students and other members of the Ateneo community wearing black arm bands.

Unfazed by an afternoon downpour, protesters emphasized that their action was not meant to disrespect their university, but was a result of the realization of the values it instilled in them.

In the wake of the tragedy, they challenged their school: "Ateneo, do better."

"Ang pagmamahal sa pamantasan ay hindi ang bulag na pagsunod, ang tunay na pagmamahal ay paniningil… ang tunay na pagmamahal ay ang pagsasabing ang tahanang ito, ang pamantasang ito ay kailangang magbago dahil hindi pa sapat," said Vinzen Borja, a graduating member of Ateneo Senior's Alliance.

(Love for one's university is not blind obedience. It is demanding accountability... It is declaring that this home, this university, needs to change because what it has done is not yet enough.)

Borja implored that on graduation day, Ateneo students do not have to choose between grief and celebration. They can graduate instead with both gratitude and conviction for justice.

Borja added that the black bands also served as a reminder that Baterbonia and Adili were with them as they marched during graduation at Ateneo's Blue Eagle Gym.

"... Kapag hinawakan namin ang diploma, hawak din namin ang paninindigan at huwag kalimutan ang laban para sa katarungan, he added."

(...When we hold our diplomas, we also hold onto our conviction to never forget the fight for justice.)

Ateneo students pointed out that the families and the public need Ateneo's actual presence, not just its press releases, adding that those responsible must issue a genuine apology.

Courtesy: The Guidon/ Facebook

'Missteps'

During the baccalaureate mass for Ateneo's graduating class hours ahead of the walkout, Ateneo President Fr. Roberto Yap said there were "missteps" in handling the case of Baterbonia and Adili.

"I acknowledge that there have been missteps in handling this painful situation," Yap said, in a social media video clip uploaded by student publication Matanglawin Ateneo.

Yap said he does not dismiss the "anger, confusion, deep hurt, criticisms, condemnations, and insults" that his actions have caused.

"But let me say that I am deeply sorry for the pain we have caused you. Our intentions were for good but they are inadequate. We are learning the hard way, and we are committed to make things right," the Ateneo president said.

'Kuya figure'

Adili's memories with his schoolmates off the court were also remembered and honored in the protest.

"[Divine] was more than just a blockmate and a classmate, he was like a brother who was specifically a kuya figure to all of us," School of Humanities representative Lorelie Potencio shared.

"Whenever we needed something from him, he will be able to give it to us. When he sees that we did good at something he provides us small compliments through texts or just a hand shake," she added.

Adili was taking up a Bachelor of Arts major in Interdisciplinary Studies under the School of Humanities of Ateneo.

"While God has taken this angel away from us, let us not focus solely on the sadness of our loss, but instead celebrate the precious time we shared with him," the student leader said.

"Though he is gone, he will never be forgotten because he touched our hearts in a unique way and left behind a legacy of positive energy," she added.

Adili was described by his schoolmate as a dedicated student-athlete who consistently gave his best effort to his studies before stepping onto the court, making him a "true inspiration" not just among his blockmates but also his schoolmates.

The students likewise expressed a deep sense of loss and regret, and said how painful it was to realize they would no longer have the chance to cross paths or share moments with Baterbonia.

"Masakit pong isipin na si Rene po ay isa sana sa ating mga makakasalisihan sa mga hallway ng Ateneo de Manila," she added.

(It is painful to think that Rene was supposed to be one of the students we would be crossing paths with in the hallways of Ateneo de Manila.) — with a report from Lyjah Tiffany Bonzo/ JKC/ VDV, GMA News