Ateneo de Manila University on Thursday shed light on the perceived silence of Blue Eagles head coach Tab Baldwin, saying that the university advised him to “refrain from making public statements” while “official processes” are ongoing.
This comes on the heels of a growing public sentiment demanding for Baldwin to address the issue and speak on what transpired in the tragic "team building activity" that claimed the lives of varsity athletes Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili.
In the statement, Ateneo acknowledged the perceived silence, explaining that it was made in congruence with the university’s guidance and decision.
“The University wishes to clarify that Coach Tab Baldwin's silence following the tragedy was not a personal decision made independently of the University.”
Ateneo also said that it requested Baldwin to refrain from giving out statements to “allow official processes to proceed,” and so it won’t overtake the establishment of facts.
Full statement:
University Statement on Coach Tab Baldwin
11 June 2026
The University wishes to clarify that Coach Tab Baldwin's silence following the tragedy was not a personal decision made independently of the University.
The University requested that Coach Baldwin refrain from making public statements to allow the official processes to proceed and the facts to be established before any public discussion of the matter.
In the immediate aftermath of this heartbreaking loss, our guidance to Coach Baldwin was to focus his attention on the emotional and psychological welfare of the players, coaches, and staff affected by the incident, while also attending to his own well-being as someone who is grieving alongside the rest of the community.
At a time when our priority was caring for those most directly affected, we believed it was neither appropriate nor helpful to ask Coach Baldwin to engage in public commentary while the community was mourning and while the circumstances surrounding the incident were still being examined.
His silence should therefore not be misconstrued as indifference or a lack of concern. Rather, it reflects the University's decision to place care, healing, and due process ahead of public discussion.
As the various inquiries proceed, the University remains confident that the truth, established through facts rather than speculation, will in due course provide the clarity and understanding that this tragedy demands.
(Sgd) Fr Roberto C Yap SJ
University President
(End of statement)
Rene's mother, Rovelyn Baterbonia, clarified during a press briefing on Wednesday, June 10, that Baldwin had not yet reached out to her.
As of writing, the American-New Zealander mentor has not made any statement to address the matter, though he was seen attending the candle-lighting vigil inside the Ateneo campus on Thursday afternoon – his first public appearance since the June 8 tragedy.
Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Patrick Gregorio also called on the long-time coach to "come forward" "out of respect for the family and the Filipino people."
This is the second public statement from Ateneo that directly tackles Baldwin.
The first came earlier on Thursday when the university said that the champion coach, as well as team manager Epok Quimpo, have “gone on leave” while investigations are ongoing.
