As the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group nears the conclusion of its investigation into the Ateneo de Manila University team-building activity that claimed the lives of Agusan del Sur standout Rene Baterbonia and Nigerian center Divine Adili, investigators have summoned one of the university’s most prominent benefactors, Manuel V. Pangilinan.
Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla confirmed the development during a Wednesday morning press briefing at the PNP-CIDG headquarters in Camp Crame.
He also revealed that investigators had already compiled more than a thousand pages of testimonies to support the cases set to be filed before the Department of Justice.
“Huling dalawang araw na lang ng aming pagsusuri sa nangyari sa Aurora,” said the former Cavite governor. “Ang natitira na lang ay ilang dating player at yung management ng Ateneo. Ngayon po ay si Fr. Nemy Que, at bukas po pinapatawag si Manny Pangilinan at si Fr. Bobby Yap — the president of Ateneo.
“Halos tapos na [ang] imbestigasyon namin; medyo conclusive na. Sa Biyernes, i-su-submit na namin sa DOJ for filing yung kaso. Hintayin ninyo na lang sa Biyernes ang aming huling pagsuri, at makikita namin kung maipapaliwanag namin sa inyo kung ano ang nakita namin sa imbestigasyon na ito. This investigation has been going on for the last two weeks. We’ve interviewed almost 100 people. We have, siguro, 1,200 pahina ng testimonya galing sa mga nandoon, at halos kompleto na kami.”
The 79-year-old business leader is the latest individual invited to provide testimony in the high-profile case. Prior to Pangilinan, several key figures had already appeared before the PNP-CIDG, including former Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin, prized recruit Kieffer Alas, and Ateneo alumni Mike Nieto, Geo Chiu, and Gian Mamuyac.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Investigators have sought information not only about the tragic events in Dipaculao, Aurora, but also about the men’s basketball program’s previous training camps and activities.
Pangilinan’s inclusion follows remarks made by CIDG Director P/Maj. Gen. Alexander Morico II on June 15, alleging that Ateneo’s men’s basketball program was managed and funded independently through a foundation linked to Smart Communications Inc., where Pangilinan serves as chairman and chief executive officer.
With Pangilinan among the key supporters behind the program, Ateneo enjoyed one of the most successful eras in UAAP basketball history. The Blue Eagles captured five consecutive championships from Seasons 71 to 75 under coach Norman Black before adding four more titles in Seasons 80, 81, 82, and 85 under Baldwin. The latter also guided Ateneo to a remarkable 39-game winning streak spanning Seasons 81 to 84.
For its part, the MVP Sports Foundation maintained that neither Pangilinan nor any of its affiliated personalities takes a hands-on role in managing the Blue Eagles, stressing that its involvement is limited to providing financial support for the team’s needs.
“The MVP Sports Foundation has long supported the Ateneo Men’s Basketball Team, along with many other collegiate and national sports campaigns, programs, and athletes, emphasizing that its role is limited to providing funding across all supported sports programs,” MVPSF president Al Panlilio said in a June 16 statement.
