Kin Of Ateneo Cager Seek Autopsy; Mother Says She Still Can’t Accept Her Son’s Death An ‘Accident’

The Ateneo de Manila University is coordinating with authorities to facilitate an autopsy of basketball player Rene Clert Baterbonia upon his parents’ request.

Aside from the police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), a task force of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) will probe drowning incidents in Dipaculao, Aurora that killed Baterbonia, 19, and Nigerian import Divine Adili, 21, on Monday, June 8.

“The Department of Justice remains committed to ensuring that the facts are fully established and that justice is served,” DOJ spokesman Polo Martinez said on Wednesday, June 10.

The NBI’s probe will determine whether there is sufficient basis to recommend the filing of charges before the DOJ, Martinez said.

Baterbonia and Adili died during a team-building activity at the Hermanos Leisure Farm and Surf Camp in Barangay Lipit.

Apology not enough

Baterbonia’s mother, Rovelyn, said Ateneo officials apologized as they visited the wake of her son at Arlington Memorial Chapel in Quezon City on Wednesday.

However, Rovelyn said an apology would not be enough because she wants a clear explanation of what happened so she could finally that the drowning was an accident.

Warning ignored?

Members of the Ateneo men’s basketball team allegedly ignored the resort management’s warning about unpredictable sea conditions, Aurora police director Col. Percival Pineda said on Monday.

Citing the resort owner’s sworn statement, Pineda said the team held their team-building activity around 300 meters away from the facility, despite being advised to stay on the shore where a lifeguard was stationed.

“They asked not to be disturbed in their activity. When they left, that’s when the incident happened,” Pineda said.

Based on testimonies from the resort owner, lifeguard, coaching staff and officers of the municipal disaster risk reduction and management office, Pineda said, “There is no foul play.”

A certificate of post-mortem examination on Baterbonia stated his cause of death was asphyxia by drowning.

Police have yet to receive Adili’s death certificate.