The Department of Justice on Monday received the findings of the National Bureau of Investigation Task Force Baterbonia and Adili following its investigation into the deaths of Ateneo student-athletes Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili during a team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora.
The tragedy occurred on June 8, when members of the Ateneo men’s basketball team were participating in a week-long team-building exercise at Hermanos Leisure & Agri-Farm Resort in Barangay Libis, Dipaculao.
During a water activity, four players were swept into rough waters.
While two were rescued, Baterbonia, 18, and Adili, 21, drowned, prompting separate investigations by the NBI, the Philippine National Police, and other government agencies into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Based on the report submitted by the NBI’s Homicide Division, eight individuals were recommended for prosecution on charges of reckless imprudence resulting in two counts of homicide.
Among those named were Ateneo men’s basketball head coach Tab Baldwin, assistant coaches Dean Castaño, Sandro Soriano, Jon Jacinto, and Buboy Domingo, strength and conditioning coaches CJ Elumba and New Zealand national Grant Dearns, and physical therapist Jerick Rueca.
Dearns has since returned to New Zealand following the incident.
The NBI also recommended charges of simple negligence resulting in two counts of homicide against Ateneo de Manila University athletic director Em Fernandez, Hermanos Leisure & Agri-Farm Resort owners Francisco and Fredrick Zubia, and resort manager Yedda Rubio.
Domingo’s inclusion marked a notable development in the case.
The former UP Integrated School assistant coach was not among those initially identified during the investigation, but was later included after his name consistently appeared in the affidavits of players who participated in the Dipaculao team-building activity.
Also included among those recommended for prosecution were the management of Hermanos Leisure & Agri-Farm Resort, where the incident took place.
Francisco Zubia, one of the resort owners, is a former Philippine National Police director who also ran for mayor of Baler, Aurora, in the 2013 elections.
Facilities officer and men’s volleyball team head coach Vince Mangulabnan has been removed from the recommendations. Investigators determined his participation was limited to logistical arrangements and not the activities themselves.
Listed as complainants are Rene’s mother, Rovelyn, the Embassy of Nigeria, and the NBI.
The DOJ will now evaluate the NBI’s findings to determine whether sufficient evidence exists to file the recommended criminal charges before the courts.
