TAB Baldwin is in deep trouble after he was found violating the Anti-Hazing Law following a tragic team building activity with the Ateneo Blue Eagles in Dipaculao, Aurora.
PHOTOGRAP COURTESY OF UAAP
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Ateneo de Manila University accepted the findings of the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) after it recommended the filing of criminal charges against Tab Baldwin and nine other members of the Blue Eagles coaching staff.
In a statement, the school stressed that it respects the outcome of the probe in which Baldwin and Ateneo coaches were found to have violated the Anti-Hazing Act of 2018 for supervising a tragic team-building activity that claimed the lives of Rene Clert Baterbonia and Divine Adili in Dipaculao, Aurora on 8 June.
Ateneo stressed that they will continue to cooperate with other fact-finding bodies, including the National Bureau of Investigation and the University Athletic Association of the Philippines.
“We acknowledge the CIDG’s recommendation and respect the work it has undertaken in the course of its investigation,” the school said in a statement.
“We also recognize that other investigations remain ongoing, and we will continue to cooperate fully with all competent authorities as they complete their respective inquiries, while the CIDG’s recommendation will now be reviewed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) as provided by the law.”
The school added that they will continue to support the families of Baterboniua and Adili as well as prioritize the welfare of student-athletes.
“Throughout the process, Ateneo remains steadfast in its commitment to accountability, student welfare, and the highest standards of safety and institutional responsibility,” Ateneo said.
“The University will continue to support the families of those involved, care for its students and community, and strengthen the reforms already underway to help ensure that such a tragedy is never repeated.”
On the same note, Ateneo president Fr. Roberto Yap said they did everything they could to make sure that the families of Baterbonia and Adili will be taken care of during this very difficult time.
“We have condoled with them, we have apologized, we continue to condole with them, we continue to apologize. And we have offered and have given support and assistance to them, and we will continue to do so over several years,” Yap said on Friday.
“I would not like to make any more comments because I’d really like to respect the privacy of those conversations, the privacy of what we said. And this is, you cannot imagine, I cannot imagine the grief of Mrs. Baterbonia, Mr. Baterbonia. I cannot imagine the grief of Mr. Adili and Mrs. Adili.”
He added that the university has been in close contact with the families right after the tragedy and urged the public to allow them to grieve in peace.
“I’d really like that we respect the grieving that is there,” Yap said during his appearance at the NBI on Friday.
“But I’d really like to say we’ve been there since day one. We have apologized, we have condoled and we continue to support them, and we will continue to support them.”
Baterbonia was laid to rest in his hometown of Talacogon, Agusan del Sur, last Wednesday, while Adili’s remains are now in his hometown of Lagos, Nigeria, after departing Manila last Monday.
Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla, meanwhile, justified his refusal to inhibit himself in the PNP inquiry.
A known supporter of the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, the rival squad of the Blue Eagles, Remulla stressed that he conducted the investigation fair and square through his capacity as government official.
“Number one, I am not a team manager. I am just one of the alumni helping the UP men’s basketball team,” said Remulla, emphasizing that Bo Perasol officially stands as the Fighting Maroons’ team manager.
“I am part of the group but as a sponsor.”
Remulla said their decision to recommend the filing of charges against Baldwin has nothing to do with his role as Fighting Maroons’ booster.
“When I came here, it was not because I am from UP. I am doing this because I am the secretary of the Interior and Local Government. It is part of my duty to make sure that justice is done,” Remulla said.
“UP has nothing to do with this, and to be clear, I am also an alumnus of Ateneo de Manila; I graduated from high school there. My son graduated in 2026. I am also an alumnus of De La Salle University, where I finished grade school.”
While the PNP is expected to file charges on Baldwin and former Ateneo coaches before the DoJ this week, the University Athletic Association of the Philippines has yet to determine whether it will suspend the Blue Eagles in the coming Season 89.
In a previous statement, the league stressed that it is waiting for the outcome of the internal investigation being conducted by the school before coming up with a decision.
