DoJ urged: Probe hazing claims amid student-athletes’ drowning

A civic group called on the Department of Justice (DoJ) to pursue anti-hazing charges regarding the drownings of two Ateneo de Manila University student-athletes, urging prosecutors to identify who allegedly inflicted physical injuries on one of the victims.

Adel Espejo, an organizer for Makata ng Bayan, demanded accountability for the death of Rene Clert “Reneboy” Baterbonia, one of two university basketball players who drowned during a team-building trip in Dipaculao, Aurora, on 8 June.

The group expressed concern over reports that hazing complaints were omitted after the case was forwarded to the Justice Department. The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) previously linked the drowning to a alleged hazing incident involving the team.

The CIDG initially recommended filing complaints under Republic Act 11053, or the Anti-Hazing Act of 2018, against former Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin and 11 others.

Investigators also recommended homicide or reckless imprudence resulting in homicide charges against Baldwin and team officials, citing an alleged failure to ensure safety during the water activity.

The Justice department confirmed receiving a supplemental referral from the CIDG on 1 July that recommended homicide and reckless imprudence charges against Baldwin and other team personnel in connection with the deaths of Baterbonia and Nigerian teammate Divine Adili.

Espejo alleged that Baterbonia suffered injuries to his legs, hands, and back prior to his death, clarifying that the hazing allegations apply specifically to Baterbonia rather than Adili.

Local law enforcement findings have not corroborated those claims. Aurora police reported that Baterbonia’s official post-mortem examination listed asphyxia by drowning as the cause of death, with no mention of physical bruising or foreign objects attached to either victim’s remains.