Faculty members of the Ateneo de Manila University have called on university leadership to provide greater transparency, accountability, and compassion in the wake of the deaths of student-athletes Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili, urging clearer answers on the circumstances surrounding a team-building activity last Monday in Aurora, Quezon that turned tragic.
In an open letter addressed to Ateneo president Fr. Bobby Yap, SJ, concerned educators from the school expressed grief over the incident. They also raised a series of urgent questions on safety protocols, institutional responsibility, and the university’s response to the families and wider community.
“We are with you and the Ateneo community in grieving and praying over the tragic deaths of our students Rene Clert ‘Bobet’ Baterbonia and Chukwuemeka Divine Adili,” the letter read.
While acknowledging the university’s recent statement, the faculty said several issues remain unresolved, particularly regarding due process, risk management, and communication protocols during the off-campus activity where the incident occurred.
Among the concerns raised were whether proper safety measures were in place to prevent drowning risks, whether parents and guardians were informed about the nature of the activity, and why university officials did not directly address the community sooner.
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The educators also sought clarification on the status of coaching staff and team officials, including whether the leaves of absence taken by head coach Tab Baldwin and team manager Epok Quimpo should be considered preventive measures aligned with standard procedures during ongoing investigations.
They further questioned the scope and independence of the investigation being conducted by the university, as well as the concrete accountability mechanisms being implemented to prevent similar incidents in the future.
“Clarity around facts is critical in truth-seeking and sense-making,” the letter stated, adding that transparency is also a demand of the bereaved families.
The faculty also appealed for more personal and compassionate communication from university leaders and coaching staff, noting that official statements released through social media were seen as insufficient in conveying empathy and accountability.
“The nameless, faceless, and sterile official social media posts have downplayed the gravity of the situation.”
The university’s communications efforts are overseen by Matec Villanueva, director of marketing and communications at Ateneo,
As the investigation continues, the group emphasized that the lives of Baterbonia and Adili must not be reduced to statistics but instead serve as a call for institutional reform.
“The lives of Rene and Divine matter,” the letter stated.
“We may never fully recover from this tragedy, but we can make their deaths count by providing meaningful and tangible support to the families they left behind and by embracing the painful lessons of this tragedy with collective humility, resolve and compassion.”
The statement concluded their appeal by inviting fellow educators to express support and solidarity with the bereaved families through a collective statement of concern and accountability.
Ateneo faculty could sign here: bit.ly/ADMUEducatorsForReneAndDivine.
