DOJ begins preliminary investigation into Baterbonia, Adili deaths

The Department of Justice (DOJ) said Thursday that it has launched a preliminary investigation into the deaths of student-athletes Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili.

According to the DOJ, the respondents in the complaint for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide are:

• Tab Baldwin, former head coach, Ateneo de Manila University men's basketball team
• Grant Dearns, strength and conditioning coach
• Ceasar Vincent Javellana Elumba, strength and conditioning coach
• Dean Caesar Castaño, assistant coach
• Sandro Nicholas Soriano Romero, assistant coach
• Reynaldo Jacinto Jr., assistant coach
• John Eric Quiambao Rueca, physical therapist
• Emmanuel Toribio Fernandez
• Vincent Raphael Mangulabnan

Justice Undersecretary Ian Norman Dato said the first preliminary investigation hearing was conducted on Tuesday, September 1.

“The second one is on September 15, which is the submission of the counter-affidavits of the respondents,” Dato said.

Baterbonia and Adili died in a drowning incident during a team-building activity of the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles in Dipaculao, Aurora, on June 8.

Following the incident, the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group recommended filing complaints against Baldwin and others for alleged violations of the Anti-Hazing Act, as well as homicide and reckless imprudence resulting in homicide.

When asked about the hazing charge, Dato said only the complaint for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide passed DOJ Department Circular No. 20, which requires prosecutors to participate in case build-up.

“They would have to agree on the appropriate charges, and the one charge that was able to pass DC 20 was reckless imprudence resulting in homicide,” he said.

Meanwhile, DOJ spokesperson Polo Martinez said the complaint for violations of the Anti-Hazing Act remains under case build-up.

In a video posted by the university on June 12, Baldwin apologized to the families of the student-athletes. However, Baterbonia’s mother said an apology was not enough.

Baldwin and team manager Epok Quimpo resigned following the incident. — VBL, GMA News