Ateneo de Manila University rookie Rene Clert Baterbonia. Photo from NBTC
MANILA — The family of Ateneo student-athlete Rene Baterbonia is expected to meet with the police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) on Tuesday.
CIDG director Maj. Gen. Robert Morico II said the private meeting aims to personally inform the family of the results of the police investigation into the team-building activity that claimed the lives of Baterbonia and fellow student-athlete Divine Adili.
"The purpose of the meeting is two things: one, to inform them of the result of our investigation because they have the right to know. Second is to assure them that in all stages ng prosecution, if this one goes to trial, the CIDG will be there to continuously follow-up this case kasi you know ang trial matagal po yan,” Morico explained.
Morico said the invitation is also open to other government agencies conducting parallel investigations, including the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), as well as school authorities who may want to review the CIDG's findings.
He said sharing the results could help improve policies and safeguards for student-athletes.
Ateneo basketball player Rene Baterbonia laid to rest
The CIDG chief also appealed to the public to stop bashing the 18 other Ateneo basketball players who joined the same team-building activity, saying they should also be considered victims.
“In this case, hindi lang dalawa ang biktima. The 18 others are also victims sa incident na ‘yun. They underwent that training because, obviously, wala silang choice because young people had dreams of their own. Kapag hindi sila sumama, mawawala po ‘yung dream na ‘yun,” Morico said.
“So, part of my appeal also kasi I heard they are also being bashed online, I ask people to be kind also to these 18 players kasi biktima rin sila,” he added.
Morico said the CIDG would no longer discuss the merits of the case since it has already been referred to the Department of Justice (DOJ), which will determine the appropriate charges.
He said investigators are ready to provide prosecutors with any additional evidence needed and remain confident in the strength of their recommendation.
“We are confident that we have an airtight case, Anti-Hazing Law, including all other offenses that might have been committed such as homicide or reckless imprudence resulting in homicide,” Morico said.
Asked whether the victims' families could still file separate complaints, Morico said that option remains available.
He added that Baterbonia's family has been cooperative with investigators and has already executed affidavits, while efforts are ongoing to coordinate with Adili's family, who is based in Nigeria.
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