The Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) has finally wrapped up its investigation into the deaths of Rene Clert Baterbonia and Divine Adili during a team-building activity of the Ateneo de Manila University men’s basketball team in Dipaculao, Aurora.

The findings point directly to negligence.

According to Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla, the probers found some elements of hazing since Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin brought with him 20 players of whom only 17 would make the cut for Season 89 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP).

Aside from that, there was a deliberate intent to cause intense and physical suffering on the players with no less than Baldwin personally choosing the dates — 7 to 12 June — to coincide with the low tide, fully aware of the coastline’s volatile nature.

Remulla noted that the boot camp was a recurring practice. A similar activity organized by Baldwin in 2016 led to an incident where two players nearly drowned after they panicked.

Baldwin knew the risks of exposing young recruits to the treacherous waters of Aurora. Knowing that five of the 20 players could not swim, yet proceeding with this initiation — disguised as a team-building exercise — created a fatal environment.

After gathering around 1,200 statements from 100 individuals, the PNP-CIDG is now in the process of recommending the filing of criminal complaints under Republic Act 11053, or the Anti-Hazing Act, before the Department of Justice (DoJ).

If the DoJ finds probable cause, Baldwin and nine assistant coaches who were part of the ill-fated boot camp could face life imprisonment if their guilt is established.

Since the stakes are so high, the upcoming legal proceedings must not devolve into a circus of finger-pointing, protection, or political grandstanding.

Remulla has acknowledged the elephant in the room, stressing that his being the chief benefactor of the Blue Eagles’ rival squad — the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons — has nothing to do with his role as the highest-ranking government official in this high-profile case.

He said that although he is part of UP’s support group, he doesn’t run the operations of the squad, while he also has strong ties to Ateneo where he went to high school and La Salle where he went to grade school.

This high profile case must be free of any political color or pressure from UP’s well-connected alumni, corporate backers, students, stakeholders and even the grieving public.

Yes, emotions are running high, but prosecutors and investigators must remain unswayed and let the factual evidence speak for itself.

There should be fairness and honesty in squeezing out the truth to make sure the perpetrators, those who committed gross negligence in carrying out the team-building activity, will be held accountable. Every hearing and every legal maneuver must be conducted in the clear light of day to show that in this country justice cannot be bought, managed, or swept under the rug.

Baterbonia and Adili went to Aurora hoping to be part of one of the most prestigious varsity programs in the country. Instead, their lifeless bodies washed ashore together with the dreams of their families due to the negligence and carelessness of the people who were supposed to protect them.

As the legal process runs its course, the focus must remain tightly locked on accountability and reform. Let the courts do their work with clear eyes, clean hands and an unyielding commitment to the evidence.

Justice must be served, not for political grandstanding, but for the victims, their families and for the sake of the truth.