Ateneo's Rene Baterbonia died of 'asphyxia by drowning' — police

The cause of death of Ateneo student-athlete Rene Baterbonia was asphyxia by drowning based on a post-mortem examination certificate, according to the Aurora Provincial Police Office on Wednesday.

“Base po sa hawak namin na certificate of post-mortem examination ay lumalabas po na asphyxia by drowning yung rason,” Aurora police chief Police Colonel Percival Pineda said in a virtual press briefing.

(Based on the certificate of post-mortem examination, the cause of death was asphyxia by drowning.)

He added that the post-mortem examination report in police possession did not mention any bruises on Baterbonia’s body.

Pineda said statements obtained from the resort lifeguard and personnel of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) indicated that no weights or foreign objects were found attached to the victims’ remains.

Authorities are continuing their investigation into the drowning deaths of Baterbonia and fellow Ateneo student-athlete Divine Adili.

They were among members of a team conducting a training activity at a beach resort in Aurora on Monday.

According to the police, the student-athletes were walking in seawater as part of their training at around 2:30 p.m. when they reportedly encountered strong waves and current.

Search operations lasted around 30 to 40 minutes before the victims were located.

While investigators are currently ruling out foul play, Pineda said authorities have yet to determine whether there is negligence or liability on the part of the coaching staff, resort, and school administration.

Percival said when the team first arrived at the beach, the resort management advised them about sea condition and safe areas.

“'Yun pong team gusto nang… kumbaga humihingi sila na huwag silang pakialamanan sa kanilang activity,” Pineda said.

(That team wanted… it's like they're asking the resort management not to meddle with their activities.)

Police said the team’s activity was conducted without coordination with the local government unit but investigators have yet to determine whether any rules or regulations were violated.

PNP Public Information Office acting chief Police Colonel Allen Rae Co vowed there will be no cover up in the probe despite the involvement of a big university.

“Wala pong magiging takipan. Everything will be made transparent. Ilalabas po ang resulta ng investigation, yung findings po, once it's been completed,” he said.

(There will be no cover-up. Everything will be made transparent. The results of the investigation, the findings, will be released once it's been completed.) —RF, GMA News