Mother still grieving Rene Clert’s death; family continues to seek justice
The Baterbonia family receives keys to a new condo unit in Davao City, July 4, 2026. Hernel Tocmo, ABS-CBN News
DAVAO -- The parents and elder brother of Rene Clert “Bobet” Baterbonia received the keys to their new condominium unit donated by the National Housing Authority (NHA) at Madayaw Residences in Bangkal, Davao City, on Saturday.
More than a week after Baterbonia was laid to rest, his mother, Rovelyn, said she is still coping with the loss of her son, who drowned during a team-building activity of the Ateneo Blue Eagles in Dipaculao, Aurora, last June 8.
The Baterbonia family said they would refrain from commenting further while authorities continue their investigation as they seek justice for Rene Clert’s death.
Rene Baterbonia’s family visits Aurora shoreline where he drowned
“Sa ngayon, hindi pa po muna ako magsalita sa ganyan. Hindi pa rin ako magpasalamat kasi hindi pa tapos yung investigation namin,” she told the media in Davao City.
The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) has recommended additional criminal charges against former Ateneo Blue Eagles head coach Tab Baldwin and other individuals involved in the team-building activity that resulted in the deaths of two student-athletes.
The CIDG on Wednesday confirmed that it had referred charges of homicide and reckless imprudence resulting in homicide against Baldwin and the other respondents before the Department of Justice (DOJ).
The Baterbonia family also recently visited the shoreline in Aurora where the two promising young basketball players tragically drowned.
They offered wreaths of flowers to the sea, as Rovelyn said it is part of their family’s tradition to visit the place where a loved one died.
Baterbonia lawyer eyes supplemental complaint over hazing case
“Nag-alay ako sa anak ko. Ganyan talaga sa amin. Yung mga lola namin magsasabi na punta ka doon para kunin mo siya pabalik,” she said.
Meanwhile, Rovelyn almost broke into tears as she expressed gratitude for the generosity shown by many people.
Aside from the condominium unit, the family also received appliances and furniture donated by private individuals.
“Wala nako gidahom nga ingon ani pud diay inyong gugma pud sa akong anak. Permiro mi diri, wala mi nakaila. Pero karon, naa na mo sa amoa, nagduyog sa kasubo. Pero gipaningkamotan ninyo nga matagaan mi og kalipay pinaagi niini,” she said.
(I never expected to receive this much love for my son. When we first came here to Davao, we didn’t know anyone. But now, you are here with us, sharing in our grief. Despite our sorrow, you have gone out of your way to bring us joy through this.)
Engineer Shariffuddin Nami, NHA XI acting regional manager, said the condominium unit, worth more than P2.1 million, was awarded entirely to the Baterbonia family to fulfill the late basketball player’s dream of owning a home in Davao and to provide a safer place for the family, who currently live in a flood-prone area in Talacogon, Agusan del Sur.
CIDG to brief Rene Baterbonia's family on probe
“Isa yan sa mandate ng NHA, pag malapit ka sa sapa, ilipat ka sa more safe na place. Mao na to iyang pangandoy sa una na naningkamot na mahimong maayong basketball player para sa ilang pamilya ug mga igsuon (Yan ang pangarap ni Bobet dati na magsumikap na magiging magaling na basketball player para sa kanyang pamilya at mga kapatid),” he said.