DOJ: No referral yet in Ateneo tragedy
Tab Baldwin
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF UAAP
No referral or complaint from the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) concerning former Ateneo men's basketball coach Tab Baldwin and 10 others over the deaths of student-athletes Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili has been received by the Department of Justice (DOJ), the agency said Thursday.
DOJ spokesperson Atty. Polo Martinez said the department has yet to receive any official documents related to the CIDG's recommendation to investigate the incident under the Anti-Hazing Act.
“Good morning. We haven’t seen the said referral/complaint. No news yet on whether it’s an actual complaint, a referral letter, nor when/what time it will be transmitted to the DOJ. Will keep you posted. Thanks,” Martinez said.
His statement came after the CIDG announced that it had recommended the evaluation, case build-up, and preliminary investigation of Baldwin and 10 other individuals in connection with the drowning deaths of Baterbonia and Adili during a team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora, on June 8.
The CIDG earlier said it was asking the DOJ to determine whether sufficient evidence exists to file charges for alleged violations of Republic Act No. 11053, or the Anti-Hazing Act of 2018.
Authorities said the supposed team-building activity may have crossed into hazing, prompting law enforcement agencies to recommend further legal action.
The DOJ is expected to evaluate any complaint or referral once it is formally transmitted to the department.
