Tab Baldwin, 11 others face raps over Ateneo cagers’ deaths

Charges has been recommended by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to the Department of Justice (DOJ) against resigned Ateneo de Manila University men’s basketball team head coach Tab Baldwin and 11 others.

This after the NBI Homicide Division completed its investigation into the drowning that killed Ateneo student-athletes Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili during a training activity in Dipaculao, Aurora, on 8 June.

The bureau said it recommended that the DOJ file charges of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide against Baldwin, six assistant coaches, and the university’s physical therapist: Resigned Coach Thomas Anthony “Tab” Baldwin, Strength and Conditioning Coach Ceasar Vincent “CJ” Elumba, Strength and Conditioning Coach Grant Dearns, Assistant Coach Reynaldo “Jon” Jacinto Jr. , Assistant Coach Dean Caesar Castaño, Assistant Coach Sandro Nicholas Soriano “Sandro” Romero, Hernan Ameer “Buboy” Domingo, and Physical Therapist John Eric Ruecay Quiambao.

The NBI also recommended that the DOJ file charges of simple negligence resulting in two counts of homicide against Ateneo’s athletic director and three resort owners and managers: Athletic Director Emmanuel Fernandez, Resort Owner and Manager Francisco Zubia III y Barangan, Resort Owner and Manager Frederick Zubia y Barangan, and Resort Co-manager Yedda Mary Molina Rubio.

Various individuals were interviewed by the NBI Homicide Division during its investigation, including Ateneo President Roberto “Bobby” Yap, SJ; Baldwin; more than 20 current and former Ateneo men’s basketball players; members of the coaching staff; the university’s physical therapist; utility workers; and the resort owner and staff in Dipaculao, Aurora, where the incident that resulted to the death of the two players occurred.