Ateneo details response after Baterbonia, Adili deaths; commits to truth and support

Ateneo de Manila University on Friday released a timeline of its response to the deaths of student-athletes Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili, as it reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing the truth and providing support to those affected by the tragedy.

Baterbonia and Adili died on June 8 after drowning during a team-building activity.

"We want to provide the University community and the public with an account of matters that we are presently in a position to confirm, while respecting the integrity of the ongoing legal, regulatory, and institutional processes," Ateneo said in a statement released by university spokesperson Fr. RB Hizon, SJ.

"This statement reflects what the University knows at this time, the actions it has taken, and the commitments it is making as investigations continue."

Timeline of Ateneo's response

According to Ateneo, it first learned of the tragedy at around 4:30 p.m. on June 8 "when the Team Manager informed University President Fr. Bobby Yap that Rene had passed away and that Divine had been rushed to the hospital."

"A short time later, Fr. Bobby received confirmation that Divine had likewise passed away," Ateneo said, adding that Yap immediately directed that both families be informed and assured of the university's support.

Ateneo also said it arranged for the transportation of the two players' remains from Aurora to Manila, as well as the return of the entire team, coaching staff, and other personnel to Manila.

"Once the families had been informed, a public statement was issued," Ateneo said, adding that Yap met with Baterbonia's parents upon their arrival at Arlington Memorial Chapels on June 9.

On the morning of June 9, Ateneo said it convened a Crisis Management Team to coordinate with the families regarding their needs, including counseling and psycho-spiritual support, crisis communications, documentation, fact-finding, and an institutional review.

According to the university, the Crisis Management Team continues to meet regularly to coordinate Ateneo's response.

Assistance to the families

"Although we did not immediately publicize every action undertaken, our work in supporting the families began on June 8 and has continued without interruption," Ateneo said, adding that it had offered to shoulder the travel expenses of Baterbonia's family to Manila.

"Although the family accepted the generous transportation assistance extended by the Provincial Government of Agusan del Sur, the University's commitment remained unchanged," it added.

Ateneo said Yap also met with Baterbonia's family and committed to supporting them during the difficult time, such as by shouldering wake-related expenses and the family's return trip to Agusan del Sur.

The Loyola Heights campus also coordinated with Ateneo de Davao to extend support to Baterbonia's family.

According to Ateneo, it also covered the Adili family's wake- and funeral-related expenses, as well as the repatriation of his remains to Nigeria.

"We continue to offer assistance to the families even as Rene and Divine have been laid to rest," it added.

Support for the community

Ateneo also said it has provided support to the student-athletes, coaches, and staff affected by the tragedy.

"We unequivocally condemn the harassment, cyberbullying, threats, doxxing, and trial by publicity directed at any member of our community. Such actions only deepen the harm already caused by this tragedy," Ateneo said.

The university also reiterated the assistance it has extended to members of the community involved in legal proceedings related to the incident.

"We recognize that some members of our community have become involved in ongoing legal proceedings arising from the Aurora tragedy. While the legal process must take its course, we remain committed to ensuring that those directly affected have access to appropriate pastoral care, counseling, guidance and advice, consistent with University policies and applicable law," Ateneo said.

"Our support for those affected by this tragedy does not diminish our commitment to accountability. Rather, it reflects our responsibility to care for every member of our community while allowing the truth to be established through the proper legal and institutional processes."

Commitment to accountability

Ateneo also reiterated its commitment to cooperating with authorities in the ongoing investigations while reviewing its own internal policies and protocols to strengthen institutional safeguards moving forward.

"While establishing the facts is essential, the University is also learning from this tragedy with honesty and humility, and is working to ensure that every lesson identified leads to meaningful institutional improvement," the university said.

"We remain committed to pursuing the truth with integrity, supporting all those affected with compassion, strengthening our institution with humility, and honoring the memory of Rene and Divine through meaningful, lasting, and measurable action," it added.

—JKC, GMA News