Rovelyn Baterbonia, the mother of late Ateneo-commit Rene Baterbonia, remains unsatisfied with the apology issued by Blue Eagles head coach Tab Baldwin, which was posted through the university’s official social media channels on Friday evening.
In a Facebook post in the early hours of Saturday morning, the grieving mother said that an apology is not what the family is seeking, as they continue to demand answers on how the tragedy in Dipaculao, Aurora transpired.
“Hindi madadala sa paumanhin ang kamatayan ng aking anak para malaman mo,” read the post in Bisaya.
“Ang gusto ko ay ipahayag ninyo kung ano talaga ang nangyari kung bakit ninyo sinasabi na aksidente lang ang nangyari sa aking anak.”
Baldwin issued his first public statement—a prerecorded message—four days after the incident that led to the deaths of Baterbonia and Divine Adili.
“As a coach, we are entrusted with the growth of our basketball players, the development of these young men into future professionals. But mostly, as a coach, I’m entrusted by you, the parents and the families, with first and foremost, their well-being. And in this, I feel I’ve failed. And I’m sorry,” Baldwin said in an eight-minute video recorded at the Blue Eagle Gym.
“To the depth of my being, I’m sorry.”
Due to limitations set by Ateneo, Baldwin only provided brief details of what happened on Monday afternoon at the shores of Hermanos Leisure Farm Resort.
“On that fateful day when we sent the players out for a routine training run and what we thought was shallow water, up to the moment when we realized that whatever had happened, they were in dangerous water,” he said.
“And we did everything that we could as coaches, as people responsible for that situation. The players themselves did everything they could to ensure that everybody arrived back on shore safely. And then we realized that we hadn’t accomplished that.”
Since Monday, Baldwin has yet to personally reach out to the families of Rene and Divine.
Autopsy reports on both Baterbonia and Adili showed that both young athletes died due to asphyxia by drowning. The Philippine National Police has also ruled out foul play in the incident.
Still, Jovelyn remains unsatisfied with the apology and is demanding answers over how the school conveyed the news of her son’s passing.
“Sabihin na nating aksidente lang, pero hindi ninyo ako na-update kung ano ang nangyari. Nag-post na kayo sa social media na patay na ang aking anak pero hindi pa kayo nagpapadala sa akin ng larawan na patunay na patay na talaga ang aking anak.”
Baterbonia’s remains are currently at the Christ the King Chapel of Ateneo de Davao University, where he will lie in state until Sunday before being flown to their hometown of Agusan del Norte.
He will be laid to rest on June 24.
