Ever since she set foot in Manila, Rovelyn Baterbonia’s focus has been entirely on the welfare of her late son, Rene — from ensuring that his remains are properly cared for to seeking clarity on the circumstances that led to his untimely death during Ateneo de Manila University’s team-building activity in Baler, Aurora last Monday.
Rovelyn arrived in the capital on Tuesday from Agusan del Sur with the assistance of local government officials. Since then, she has continued searching for answers that could bring closure to her family and to everyone who loved Rene — a young dreamer whose ambitions for himself and his family of nine were tragically cut short by a drowning incident.
“May kumausap sa akin — si Coach Dean [Castano] at si Coach Sandro [Soriano] from Ateneo de Manila,” she said during a press conference on Wednesday at Arlington Memorial Chapels, where her son’s remains lie. “Meron silang alam sa nangyari. Sabi nila, ‘di daw ‘yun totoo, yung mga nasa social media na ikinalat nila, kasi nung time daw nila doon, walang nilagay na weights. Wala daw, then aksidente lang daw talaga yung nangyari.
“Tapos ano lang… Sinabi ko nga sa kanila na naaksidente nga ‘yun, nangyari dahil sa kakulangan ninyo. Kasi pumunta kayo doon, wala kayong rescuer. And then, may medic daw sila pero first aid lang. Then, 20 to 30 minutes daw mula sa beach hanggang dito sa ospital — siyempre, ang layo na,” she continued.
“Then sinabi nila, may mga coach naman daw na nandoon para magtulungan sila, pero ‘di daw talaga na-rescue talaga. Aksidente lang daw talaga. Nakita na daw si Rene nung rescuer sa beach — siguro yung may-ari ng beach, may rescuer, ‘yun na daw.”
According to the latest reports from the Aurora Police Provincial Office, the resort management had already advised the Ateneo delegation on which areas of the facility were safe for their activities.
However, the group reportedly requested privacy and moved approximately 300 meters away from the designated shore area.
Shortly thereafter, strong waves struck the group and scattered them across the water.
Within moments, the tragedy unfolded.
“Wala, lahat daw sila nandoon, parang sumabay. Tapos yung iba nakaahon na, yung iba ‘inangat’ na nila. And then tinignan daw nila kung sino daw yung ‘di pa nakaahon,” said Rovelyn.
“Tapos, pagkakita nila na kulang, pinahanap nila. Nakuha nang una si Rene, at saka pangalawa daw si Adili. Ang sabi nila, dito daw sa [baywang] yung dagat, magtatakbo daw sila. Tapos nung nagsabi na daw sila ng ‘Go,’ bigla na lang daw pumunta yung alon sa kanila. May mga coaches daw sa tubig at sa shore — meron daw po.”
During the press conference, a man in a blue coat briefly interrupted the proceedings to request a pause.
The man was Atty. Jimmy Bondoc, who announced that he and fellow lawyer Atty. Israelito Torreon would provide legal assistance to the Baterbonia family.
“Pinadala sila ni Governor para kung anuman ang pirmahan, sila muna ang magbabasa bago ako pumirma,” Rovelyn explained.
However, she emphasized that any legal action remains undecided, as her priority at the moment is her son’s final journey home.
“’Di ko talaga alam. Basta isa lang ang alam ko ngayon: yung anak ko lang muna ang uunahin bago ako gumawa ng step, kasi umaasa pa ako sa kung ano exactly yung info na ibibigay nila sa akin.”
For now, Rovelyn said all she wants are answers that can provide closure to her family. Legal remedies are far from her immediate concern. Instead, her focus is on bringing Rene home to Agusan del Sur, or to Davao, where he built a name for himself.
Whatever care may have been lacking in the moments leading up to the tragedy, his mother feels determined to ensure that her son receives it now as he is laid to rest.
“Sa ngayon, ‘di ko pa ‘yan naisip kasi iniisip ko muna yung anak ko na maiuwi sa aming lugar para nandoon siya sa Agusan or sa Davao,” said Rovelyn.
“Pero nakiusap sila na dito muna iburol within one day or two days niya. Nakiusap si Sir Mark Cayetano, kahit wala man siya dito. Then pagkatapos, iuuwi namin siya sa Agusan. Wala pa akong info tungkol sa cases.”
