Ateneo De Manila University campus in Katipunan, Quezon City in this photo taken on May 26, 2023. Gigie Cruz, ABS-CBN News/FileMANILA – Amid ongoing investigations into the deaths of student-athletes Divine Adili and Rene Baterbonia, Ateneo de Manila University has reaffirmed its commitment to reviewing and strengthening its policies and institutional safeguards.
University spokesperson Fr. RB Hizon SJ issued a statement on Friday night detailing the steps Ateneo has taken following the deaths of Adili and Baterbonia.
The two student-athletes drowned during a team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora, on June 8.
"While establishing the facts is essential, the University is also learning from this tragedy with honesty and humility, and is working to ensure that every lesson identified leads to meaningful institutional improvement. Any subsequent findings and conclusions reached through the various legal and regulatory processes will continue to guide the University in improving its practices, policies, and institutional safeguards where needed," the statement read.
"Our objective is not only to understand what happened, but also to identify and address any policies, practices, governance structures, or institutional gaps so as to strengthen the current systems that safeguard the safety, well-being, and formation of every student entrusted to its care, whether in athletics or in any other University activity," it added.
In a separate statement on Thursday, Ateneo countered the supplemental referral by the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG), which implicated members of the University Athletics Office (UAO).
READ: Ateneo 'respectfully but firmly disputes' CIDG supplemental referral on Aurora incident
The PNP-CIDG had previously recommended homicide and hazing charges against resigned Ateneo Men's Basketball Team head coach Tab Baldwin and several others.
The supplemental referral included Athletics Director Emmanuel Fernandez and UAO staff member Vince Mangulabnan, whom the University said were both not present during the team-building activity.
While the University is cooperating with authorities investigating the deaths, Ateneo said it continues to examine how it can improve its own practices.
"We will respect the conclusions reached through the appropriate legal processes, without prejudice to available legal remedies. Regardless of the conclusions ultimately reached through those processes, we recognize that the University has an independent institutional responsibility to examine its current policies, protocols, and practices and to determine where improvements may be necessary," the statement said.
The University likewise said it will continue providing support to those affected by the tragedy and to the individuals undergoing legal proceedings.
"We unequivocally condemn the harassment, cyberbullying, threats, doxxing, and trial by publicity directed at any member of our community. Such actions only deepen the harm already caused by this tragedy," the statement read.
"While the legal process must take its course, we remain committed to ensuring that those directly affected have access to appropriate pastoral care, counseling, guidance, and advice, consistent with University policies and applicable law," it added.
The PNP-CIDG said the complaints have already been forwarded to the Department of Justice for case buildup and evaluation.