Ateneo de Manila University President Fr. Roberto Yap said the university has apologized to and extended continuing support to the families of basketball players Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili as he appeared before the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in its ongoing homicide investigation.

Yap appeared before the NBI-Homicide Division on Friday in compliance with a subpoena ad testificandum requiring his testimony and a subpoena duces tecum directing him to produce documents requested by investigators.

"We have been since day one with the Baterbonia and Adili families. We have condoled with them, we have apologized, we continue to condole with them, we continue to apologize," Yap said.

He added that the university has provided assistance to both families and intends to continue supporting them in the coming years.

Yap recalled meeting Baterbonia's parents when they arrived in Manila following the tragedy. He said he was with them at the funeral home when they first saw their son's remains, prayed with the family, blessed the body, attended the succeeding Mass, and later met with them privately.

For Adili's family, Yap said the university coordinated with the Nigerian athlete's relatives after his father was unable to travel to the Philippines because of passport issues.

He said Adili's uncle traveled to the Philippines to claim the body, and he personally apologized to him while assuring the family of Ateneo's continued support.

Yap added that the university sent representatives to accompany Baterbonia's remains during the wake in Davao and the funeral in Agusan. A Filipino Jesuit also traveled to Nigeria on his behalf to accompany Adili's family during the burial.

"I cannot imagine the grief of Mrs. Baterbonia, Mr. Baterbonia. I cannot imagine the grief of Mr. Adili and Mrs. Adili," Yap said.

"I would really like that we respect the grieving that is there. But I really like to say we've been there since day one. We have apologized, we have condoled, we continue to support them and will continue to support them."

Yap declined to discuss details of the NBI investigation, saying he wanted to respect the privacy of his conversations with the victims' families.

His lawyers had earlier informed the NBI on 19 June that he would personally comply with the subpoenas and cooperate with the investigation.

The NBI continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths of Baterbonia and Adili during a team activity in Dipaculao, Aurora.