The Department of the Interior and Local Government on Friday recommended the filing of charges against resigned Ateneo de Manila University men’s basketball coach Tab Baldwin and 10 other members of the Blue Eagles’ staff for alleged violations of the Anti-Hazing Act in connection with the drowning deaths of players Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili.
Aside from Baldwin, the DILG and the Philippine National Police–Criminal Investigation and Detection Group identified strength and conditioning coaches Grant Dearns and CJ Elumba; assistant coaches Dean Castaño, Sandro Soriano, and Jon Jacinto; student managers Paolo Adevoso and Andrew Salud; physical therapist Jerick Rueca; and utility/ball boys Aris Pronce and Boy Rapa as the recommended respondents in the June 8 tragedy in Dipaculao, Aurora, which occurred during the Blue Eagles’ “team-building” activity.
With all 11 recommended respondents affiliated with the Ateneo men’s basketball program, members of the media asked during the press briefing whether Ateneo de Manila University and the MVP Sports Foundation would also be included in the recommended charges.
DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla said both the university and the MVPSF, which funds the basketball program, had no prior knowledge of the trip and were therefore not included among the recommended respondents.
“Actually, itinanong namin ’yan kay Father, ano, hindi pa raw siya, ano, noon eh, hindi pa raw siya member ng leadership ng Ateneo nung unang nangyari ito nung 2017. So wala siyang alam, there was no knowledge, kaya kami hindi pa namin sinasama dito. Sa lahat ng testimonya, ang lumalabas ay hindi alam ng Ateneo de Manila University. Hindi nila alam,” said Remulla.
“According to multiple testimonies, nalaman lang ni Director Em Fernandez after the fact, nung nangyari na. Nalaman ni Fr. Bobby Yap after the fact, nung nangyari na.”
The MVPSF had earlier clarified its involvement with the basketball program in a June 16 statement, saying its role was limited to providing financial support.
Remulla reiterated that position during Friday’s press briefing, saying it was one of the reasons the foundation was not included in the recommendation.
“Ang relationship ng MVP Foundation ay sponsor ng Ateneo team. Sila ang nagbibigay ng funding sa Ateneo de Manila University at empleyado ng university si Tab Baldwin. May ipinakita sa aming kontrata as head consultant of the basketball team,” said the DILG secretary.
“According kay Tab Baldwin, empleyado siya ng MVP Foundation or ng Smart pero nung hiningi namin yung kontrata ay wala namang maipakita sa amin. So ang role talaga ng Smart dito ay sponsor lamang. Wala silang kinalaman or wala silang alam sa nangyari o sa pagplano ng ganitong klaseng pagkakataon.”
