Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla admitted he was heartbroken over the inclusion of Ateneo de Manila University student-managers Paolo Adevoso and Andrew Salud, along with utility staff members Aris Pronce and Boy Rapa, among the 11 individuals recommended by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group to face charges under the Anti-Hazing Act in connection with the drowning incident in Dipaculao, Aurora that claimed the lives of Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili.
In an interview with ANC’s Dateline Philippines on Friday, Remulla said the four were included because of the provisions of the law governing hazing cases.
“That’s the painful part of the law, and it really breaks my heart,” he expressed.
“Everyone who was present and did not object to what was happening is considered part of the conspiracy under the Anti-Hazing Law.”
Section 14 of Republic Act No. 11053 states that “the penalty of reclusion temporal in its maximum period and a fine of one million pesos (₱1,000,000.00) shall be imposed upon all persons who are present in the conduct of the hazing.”
The Blue Eagles’ “team activity” in Dipaculao, Aurora was classified as an initiation after, according to Remulla, interim Ateneo head coach Louie Alas testified that “it is not a basketball-specific activity, but it was intended to determine the condition and mental toughness of the players.”
Following the activity, three players were to be cut from the team, leaving 17 players to comprise Ateneo’s UAAP lineup.
Under the same law, hazing is defined as “any act that results in physical or psychological suffering, harm, or injury inflicted on a recruit, neophyte, applicant, or member as part of an initiation rite or practice made as a prerequisite for admission or a requirement for continuing membership in a fraternity, sorority, or organization including, but not limited to paddling, whipping, beating, branding, forced calisthenics, exposure to the weather, forced consumption of any food, liquor, beverage, drug or other substance, or any other brutal treatment or forced physical activity which is likely to adversely affect the physical and psychological health of such recruit, neophyte, applicant, or member. This shall also include any activity, intentionally made or otherwise, by one person alone or acting with others, that tends to humiliate or embarrass, degrade, abuse, or endanger, by requiring a recruit, neophyte, applicant, or member to do menial, silly, or foolish tasks.”
“In the eyes of the law, they are essentially the same. Many people think hazing only occurs during fraternity initiations,” said Remulla.
“However, the Revised Anti-Hazing Act of 2018 states that any initiation, application, or continued membership in any organization or club is covered by the law. In this case, the Ateneo basketball team is considered an organization.”
As for the two student-managers and two utility staff members, Remulla expressed hope that the Department of Justice, headed by his brother, Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla, would carefully determine their level of liability.
“I hope the Department of Justice exercises greater discernment in determining who is truly culpable. But for the integrity of the investigation and in accordance with the law, we had to identify everyone who was present and recommend them accordingly. The law states that anyone who was present and failed to object may be held liable,” said Remulla.
“Ultimately, the Department of Justice is in the best position to determine who should be prosecuted and who has a reasonable likelihood of conviction.”
On Friday evening, Ateneo de Manila University released a statement expressing its support for the four respondents and their families, saying it would stand by them throughout the legal process.
