Former Ateneo de Manila University head coach Tab Baldwin and eight others are set to face additional criminal charges over the deaths of student-athletes Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili during a “team-building” activity in Dipaculao, Aurora, with the Philippine National Police recommending the filing of homicide-related complaints before the Department of Justice.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the PNP said the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group has recommended filing complaints for Homicide against Baldwin and Reckless Imprudence Resulting in Multiple Homicide against him and eight other respondents following its investigation into the June 8 incident.
Earlier, Baldwin and 11 others had already been charged with alleged violations of the Anti-Hazing Act of 2018.
Also among those set to face alleged Anti-Hazing Law violations are assistant coaches Dean Castaño, Sandro Soriano, and Jon Jacinto; strength and conditioning coaches Grant Dearns and CJ Elumba; and physical therapist Jerick Rueca.
University Athletics Office director Em Fernandez and sports facilitator Vince Mangulabnan were also added as respondents in the homicide-related case, according to a report by NewsWatch Plus.
Mangulabnan likewise serves as the head coach of the Ateneo men’s volleyball team.
Meanwhile, Hearns had already left the Philippines on June 10 and returned to his home country of New Zealand.
The CIDG also met with the family of one of the victims at its headquarters on June 30 to provide updates on the investigation.
According to the PNP, investigators presented the timeline of events, the evidence gathered, and the legal actions taken, while introducing the command group, investigators, intelligence personnel, and legal officers handling the case.
The PNP said the investigation forms part of its commitment to professional and accountable police operations and is aligned with the government’s efforts to strengthen the country’s justice system.
PNP chief Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. assured the families that authorities remain committed to pursuing the case through due process.
“Sa bawat kasong may nawalang buhay, tungkulin naming tiyakin na ang katotohanan ay mailalabas sa tamang proseso ng batas. Hindi kami titigil hangga’t hindi namin naibibigay ang pinakamahusay na imbestigasyon na nararapat para sa mga pamilya ng mga biktima. We remain committed to building a strong case founded on facts, evidence, and due process,” he said.
Nartatez added that the PNP understands the pain of the victims’ families and vowed to continue the investigation with integrity and fairness.
“Nauunawaan namin ang bigat ng kanilang pinagdaraanan. Asahan po ninyo na ang PNP ay patuloy na kikilos nang may integridad, pagiging patas, at malasakit upang maihatid ang hustisya sa tamang panahon,” said Nartatez.
The PNP said it will continue coordinating with the DOJ and other concerned agencies as the legal process moves forward.
