MANILA — The Department of Justice (DOJ) has ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to create a special task force to investigate the deaths of two Ateneo de Manila University basketball players who drowned during a team-building activity in Aurora province.
The victims were identified as Rene Clert Baterbonia, 19, an incoming Ateneo Blue Eagles rookie, and Divine Adili, 21, a Nigerian student-athlete. Both were members of Ateneo’s men’s basketball program.
According to initial reports from police authorities, the incident occurred on June 8 in Dipaculao, Aurora, where the team was conducting a team-building activity. Authorities said the players were swept by strong currents while in the water. These findings remain preliminary and are subject to further investigation.
In a directive issued by the DOJ, the NBI was instructed to form a task force that will conduct a thorough and impartial inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the deaths. The move effectively elevates the investigation to the national level alongside ongoing police inquiries.
Local police units under Police Regional Office 3 previously said there was no initial indication of foul play based on witness accounts gathered at the scene. However, investigators stressed that all aspects of the incident remain under review as evidence is still being collected.
Authorities are also examining the planning and safety conditions surrounding the activity, including supervision and risk management measures, as part of standard procedures in determining the full context of the incident.
The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group has likewise been assisting in the broader fact-finding efforts.
Ateneo de Manila University confirmed the deaths in an official statement and expressed grief over the loss of the two student-athletes. The university asked for privacy for the families and extended condolences to teammates, coaches, and the wider community.
The incident has drawn widespread reactions from the Philippine sports community, including expressions of sympathy from collegiate sports organizations, basketball stakeholders, and supporters.
While the incident has been widely referred to on social media as occurring in Baler, official reports identify Dipaculao as the specific municipality in Aurora province where the drowning took place.
The DOJ-led NBI task force and police investigators are expected to release further updates as the inquiry progresses.
This is a developing story.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
