Ateneo de Manila University's Divine Adili and Rene Baterbonia. Photos from UAAP Media/NBTC
MANILA (UPDATE) — The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) has recommended that the Department of Justice (DOJ) conduct a preliminary investigation for possible hazing law violations by former Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin and 10 others involved in the team-building activity in Aurora, which claimed the lives of student-athletes Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili.
“Ang Anti-Hazing Act ay revised na po ‘yan… Ang dati pong iniisip natin, ang hazing ay initiations lamang. Ngunit dito, ang team-building at training ay nag-cross over papunta sa hazing,” Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said in a press briefing where the CIDG presented its findings.
Under the law, hazing “refers to any act that results in physical or psychological suffering, harm or injury inflicted on a recruit, neophyte, applicant or member,” he said. These acts include “forced calisthenics and exposure to weather,” the official added.
Baterbonia and Divine Adili drowned after they were swept away by waves while in waist-deep water at a resort in Dipaculao town.
Ateneo basketball player Rene Baterbonia laid to rest
ELEMENTS OF HAZING
DILG Undersecretary for Legal and Legislative Affairs Brian Mey Tomas explained the three elements required under the Anti-Hazing Act appear to be present.
“For the first element, there should be a physical or psychological suffering. This one is very clear as there is the presence of death of two individuals. This is a clear case of physical suffering under the law,” Tomas said.
“The second element provides that there should be a requirement for continuing membership or admission to an organization. The supposed team-building activity that was conducted in Aurora was precisely made to determine which members of the team will make it to the final list submitted by Coach Tab Baldwin to the UAAP board,” he added.
Authorities said 20 players attended the training camp, but only 17 were expected to make the final UAAP roster, making the exercise part of the selection process.
“For the third element, there should be a physical activity among the enumerated under the law... The CIDG found that the seawater-based activity constitutes hazing because there is a deliberate intent to cause suffering among players. This is evident in the fact that Tab Baldwin, in his own testimony with the CIDG, admitted that they intentionally chose the dates June 7-12 to coincide with the low tide,” Tomas said.
‘INTENSE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY’ EVEN BEFORE DAWN
Based on the players’ itinerary, they were “subjected to intense physical activity starting at 4 a.m., when they were woken by a siren and were made to run for 4 kilometers,” Tomas said.
“This was subsequently followed by intense physical games and punishment for losers in these games,” he said.
“All these circumstances show that the elements of violation of the anti-hazing law may be present,” the official said.
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‘TRAGEDY COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED’
Remulla noted that in 2016, Baldwin also organized a similar activity for the Blue Eagles in the same area. A player told the CIDG that two of his teammates “nearly drowned in the seawater due to panic” and were rescued by Baldwin and another member of the coaching staff.
“Fully aware siya (Baldwin) sa mga puwedeng mangyari doon sa Dipaculao,,” Remulla said.
“This tragedy could have been avoided,” he added.
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In the latest team-building activity, 5 players informed Baldwin that they did not know how to swim, Remulla said.
“Noong nalaman niya na hindi marunong lumangoy, binigyan niya ng information kung paano mag-handle ng rip currents… He was of full knowledge that this could happen. Ang mahirap rito, paano mo tuturuan ang hindi marunong lumangoy na mag-handle ng rip current,” he said.
What is a rip current and how can one escape from it?
He said the CIDG’s recommendations include a preliminary investigation and case build-up by the Department of Justice against Baldwin and 10 other respondents who “planned and participated in the hazing.”
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INITIAL EVALUATION
The DOJ confirmed that it received the referral of the CIDG recommending the filing of violation of the Anti-Hazing Law, which could also include homicide charges.
“At this stage, the referral will undergo initial evaluation by the DOJ to determine whether the evidence submitted is complete and sufficient for further proceedings,” the DOJ said in a statement.
The department also noted that until the evaluation is completed, it cannot disclose further details.
“The DOJ assures the public that the matter will be evaluated expeditiously and objectively in accordance with the evidence, the law, and applicable procedure,” the DOJ said.
In a statement, the Ateneo De Manila University said: “We acknowledge the CIDG's recommendation and respect the work it has undertaken in the course of its investigation.”
Ateneo spokesperson Fr. RB Hizon, SJ noted that other investigations remained ongoing and the university would “continue to cooperate fully with all competent authorities.”
“We are confident that the facts will be fully and fairly evaluated through the proper process. Throughout this process, Ateneo remains steadfast in its commitment to accountability, student welfare, and the highest standards of safety and institutional responsibility,” he said.
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He added that Ateneo would “continue to support the families of those involved” and “strengthen the reforms already underway to help ensure that such a tragedy is never repeated.”
—With reports from Karen de Guzman and Adrian Ayalin, ABS-CBN News
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