DOJ issues immigration lookout bulletin vs. Tab Baldwin over Ateneo players' deaths probe

Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida on Wednesday said an Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO) has been issued against Ateneo de Manila University men’s basketball team head coach Tab Baldwin amid the ongoing probe into the deaths of student-athletes Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili.

In a press conference, Vida said the ILBO was issued against:

• Mr. Thomas Anthony “Tab” Baldwin, former Head Coach of Ateneo men’s basketball team
• Mr. Christopher "Epok" Quimpo, former Team Manager
• Mr. Reynaldo Jacinto, Jr., Assistant Coach
• Mr. Dean Castaño, Assistant Coach
• Mr. Sandro Soriano, Assistant Coach

Vida stressed that an ILBO is only a monitoring mechanism.

“It is intended to alert authorities should the subjects attempt to travel abroad while the investigation is ongoing. It is not by itself a restriction on travel nor a finding of liability,” he said.

“The investigation remains ongoing, and the department stands ready to undertake its mandate once a complaint is formally filed,” he added.

Vida said the DOJ must look at the obligation of universities and the liabilities of the university, the coach, and other individuals involved.

“Kapag hinatid mo ‘yung anak mo, 'di ba, sa school, kapag hinatid mo ‘yung anak mo sa school, pumapasok ‘yung substitute parental authority at dito papasok ‘yung obligasyon at responsibilidad ng school authorities,” he said.

(When you bring your child to school, right, when you bring your child to school, substitute parental authority comes into play, and this is where the obligations and responsibilities of the school authorities arise.)

“Curricular man or non-extracurricular ‘yung activities,” he added.

(Whether the activities are curricular or non-curricular/extracurricular.)

Meanwhile, the secretary appealed to the public to refrain from speculation while the probe into Baterbonia’s and Adili’s deaths is ongoing.

To recall, Baterbonia and Adili died in a drowning incident during a team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora, on Monday, June 8.

Baldwin and Quimpo have resigned from their posts.

The former head coach also apologized to the families of the players, but Baterbonia’s mother said that an apology is not enough. —NB, GMA News