Out of the 11 individuals recommended by the Philippine National Police–Criminal Investigation and Detection Group to the Department of Justice for charges under the Anti-Hazing Act in connection with the deaths of 18-year-old Rene Baterbonia and 21-year-old Divine Adili, one name stood out for having no formal ties to either Ateneo de Manila University or its men’s basketball program.
Alongside resigned head coach Tab Baldwin, assistant coaches Dean Castano, Jon Jacinto, and Sandro Soriano, strength and conditioning coach CJ Elumba, physical therapist Jerick Rueca, student managers Paolo Adevoso and Andrew Salud, and utility staff Aris Pronce and Boy Rapa, the CIDG also recommended charges against a certain Grant Dearns.
But who is Dearns, and why was he in Dipaculao, Aurora, on June 8?
Dearns is a highly-respected strength and conditioning coach from New Zealand with decades of experience in rugby.
Since 2004, he has worked with several prominent clubs, including Hawke’s Bay, Japan’s NEC Green Rockets, and Russia’s Lokomotiv. He also served as director of rugby for Poneke and Lincoln.
Last year, Dearns was appointed lead strength and conditioning coach of Super Rugby Pacific side Moana Pasifika, a team that is set to be disbanded after this season.
According to the investigation, Dearns was invited by Baldwin to assist in Ateneo’s supposed weeklong “team-building” activity in Aurora.
However, it appears that Dearns left the Philippines shortly after the incident.
On June 19, Dearns appeared on Sport Nation’s Scotty & Izzy podcast to discuss his son Warner’s upcoming Super Rugby Pacific final with the Hurricanes.
During the interview, he indicated that he was already in New Zealand and was preparing to watch the championship match, which was played at HNRY Stadium in Wellington on June 20.
“Yeah, we’ll be over there tomorrow. He flies out on Sunday, so we’ll watch the game, hopefully have a bit of a celebration, and then they’ll be on a plane back to Japan on Sunday (June 21) afternoon,” he said.
Warner and the Hurricanes went on to dominate the Chiefs, 60-5, to capture the Super Rugby Pacific title.
Dearns has yet to publicly address the CIDG’s recommendation or his alleged involvement in the events that unfolded during Ateneo’s team-building activity in Aurora.
