The Philippine National Police–Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) found that the deaths of Ateneo student-athletes Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili could have been avoided had head coach Tab Baldwin not insisted on a hazardous sea training in Dipaculao, Aurora.
According to Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) will recommend to the Department of Justice (DOJ) a case buildup and preliminary investigation against Baldwin and 10 others involved in the Aurora team-building activity, citing violations of the Anti-Hazing Law.
“The Anti-Hazing Act has been revised. Hazing is no longer limited to initiation rites. In this case, team-building and training crossed over into hazing,” Remulla said at a press briefing.
Under the law, hazing refers to any act causing physical or psychological suffering, harm, or injury to a recruit, neophyte, applicant, or member. This includes “forced calisthenics and exposure to weather,” Remulla noted.
He emphasized that Baldwin had organized a similar activity in the same area in 2016, where two players nearly drowned and were saved only by Baldwin and another coach. “He was fully aware of the risks in Dipaculao. This tragedy could have been avoided,” Remulla added.
On June 8, five players admitted to Baldwin that they did not know how to swim. “Instead of stopping, he gave them instructions on handling rip currents. But how do you teach non-swimmers to manage rip currents?” Remulla said.
Assistant Secretary Brian Tomas explained that the activity was used to determine which players would make Baldwin’s final roster for submission to the UAAP Board.
“The CIDG found that the seawater-based activity constitutes hazing because there was deliberate intent to cause suffering. Baldwin himself admitted they chose June 7–12 to coincide with low tide,” Tomas said.
Ateneo spokesperson Fr. RB Hizon, SJ, issued a statement respecting the CIDG investigation while acknowledging that other inquiries are ongoing. He stressed that Ateneo remains committed to accountability, student welfare, and reforms to ensure community safety and prevent similar tragedies.# (ZIA LUNA)
