Metro Manila, Philippines – The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), in coordination with the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), has recommended the filing of hazing charges against former Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles head coach Tab Baldwin and 10 others in connection with the deaths of student athletes Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said in a press conference on Friday, June 26, that violations were committed to the Anti-Hazing Act in a team building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora on June 8.
Others in the recommended charge list are conditioning coaches Grant Dearns and Caesar Vincent Elumba, assistant coaches Dean Castaño, Sandro Soriano, and Jon Jacinto, student managers Paolo Adevoso and Drew Salud, physical therapist John Eric Rueca, and utility/ball boys Aris Pronce and Boy Rapa.
Remulla cited a portion of the law which penalizes: “those who actually planned or participated in the hazing if, as a consequence of the hazing, death, rape, sodomy, or mutilation results therefrom.”
“Ang dati pong iniisip natin, ang hazing ay hindi initiations lamang. Ngunit dito, ang team building at training ay nag-crossover papunta sa hazing,” he said.
[Translation: What we previously thought, hazing is not just about initiations. In this team building and training, it crossed over to hazing.]
“According to the law revised in 2018, ‘Hazing refers to any act that results in physical or psychological suffering, harm, or injury inflicted on a recruit, neophyte, applicant, or member.’ That applies to the basketball team,” he added.
DILG Assistant Secretary Brian Tomas said homicide is also a possible charge.
“Right now, the recommendation by the CIDG is to conduct preliminary investigation for a violation of the Anti-Hazing Act, but this is still subject to such other offenses as the DOJ may find applicable and warranted under the circumstances. So hindi pa rin naman binibitawan yung posibilidad na ang ma-file sa kanila ay homicide,” he said.
[Translation: There is still the possibility that homicide charges may be filed against them.]
Remulla said Baldwin was fully aware of the risky waters in Dipaculao, Aurora and even briefed the team about rip currents.
In a statement released after the press conference, Ateneo de Manila University spokesperson Fr. RB Hizon, SJ, said the school acknowledged the CIDG recommendation and respects the result of its investigation.
“We also recognize that other investigations remain ongoing, and we will continue to cooperate fully with all competent authorities as they complete their respective inquiries, while the CIDG’s recommendation will now be reviewed by the Department of Justice, as provided under the law,” he said.
“We are confident that the facts will be fully and fairly evaluated through the proper process,” Hizon added.
Baterbonia was buried on June 24 in his hometown of Talacogon in Agusan del Sur, while Adili’s remains arrived in Nigeria on June 25.
