CIDG probes possible hazing, homicide in deaths of Ateneo players Rene Baterbonia, Divine Adili

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group said on Monday that it is looking into the possibility of homicide or violation of the anti-hazing law in the deaths of Ateneo de Manila University basketball players Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili.

“What can I say right now is the investigation is now turned into a possible homicide investigation…which is possibly a violation of Article 249 of the Revised Penal Code, or the Anti-Hazing Act of 2018. It depends po doon sa ongoing na interview namin na tinatanggap sa mga players,” said CIDG Director Police Maj. Gen. Robert Morico II in a press briefing.

On June 8, Baterbonia and Adili both died due to asphyxia by drowning during a team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora.

The provincial police office of Aurora earlier said that there were no weights attached to the bodies of the two varsity players when they drowned.

The Aurora Police also said that the members of Ateneo Blue Eagles men’s basketball team conducted its team-building activity about 300 meters away from the beach, despite reportedly being advised by the resort management to hold the activity in the waters just in front of the establishment.

The investigators in Aurora earlier said that it saw no foul play in the drowning deaths.

Aurora provincial police director Police Col. Percival Pineda said that Baterbonia and Adili quickly received initial medical response while the PNP responded immediately after receiving the call. Unfortunately, both players passed.

"So base po sa ating nakuhang salaysay sa mga kasama niya, ito pong insidente na ito ay talaga pong purely accident. Natural accident po 'yung pangyayari. Hindi po talaga inaasahan," Pineda added.

"Sa ngayon, wala po tayong nakikitang foul play sa aksidente na ito."

(Based on the account of the people they were with, this incident is really purely an accident. What happened was a natural accident. This was not expected.... We do not see any foul play in this accident at this time.)

The CIDG said that the Anti-Hazing Act not only covers fraternities but also other organizations.

“So as you can see, the Anti-Hazing Act of 2018 applies not only sa mga fraternities, sa mga academies, sa mga organizations such as police training. It also applies to any organization,” said Morico.

The law provides that hazing is prohibited in fraternities, sororities, and organizations in schools.

Hazing is not limited to “paddling, whipping, beating, branding, forced calisthenics, exposure to the weather, forced consumption of any food, liquor, beverage, drug or other substance, or any brutal treatment or forced physical activity which is likely to adversely affect the physical and psychological health of such recruit, neophyte, applicant, or member.”

Head coach Tab Baldwin and team manager Epok Quimpo already tendered their resignations following the controversy.

"We thank him for the years of service to the Blue Eagles. But as we enter a period of deep institutional review, a change in leadership is necessary," Ateneo president Fr. Roberto "Bobby" Yap said.

The university also announced that the men's basketball team manager, Epok Quimpo, has stepped down from his post.

"Yes, team manager Epok Quimpo has also submitted his resignation, and we have also accepted it." –NB, GMA News