Ateneo coaches, players summoned over June 8 drowning – CIDG

MANILA, Philippines — The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group has issued subpoenas to Ateneo de Manila University coaches and players who were present during the June 8 drowning incident that killed student-athletes Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili.

In a statement on Thursday, June 11, the Department of the Interior and Local Government said the CIDG is investigating the incident and summoned the individuals as part of its fact-finding efforts.

"Subpoenas have been issued to the coaches and players present during the activity as part of fact-finding efforts, including the examination of possible violations of Republic Act No. 11053, or the Anti-Hazing Act of 2018," the DILG said.

Lookout order requested. DOJ spokesperson Polo Martinez said the CIDG also asked the Department of Justice to issue an Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order against Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin.

This is the second request for an ILBO against Baldwin, an American-Kiwi coach. The first request came from Israelito Torreon, lawyer for the family of Baterbonia, who asked that law enforcement authorities be notified if Baldwin attempts to leave the country.

Criminal negligence eyed

In a separate statement, the NBI said its investigation would focus on possible criminal negligence in the deaths of Baterbonia and Adili.

Despite initial findings by local authorities that ruled out foul play, the bureau said its ongoing investigation would assess all angles, including whether intentional harm can be definitively excluded.

The NBI said it respected the Aurora Police Provincial Office's initial finding of no foul play, but said it would still conduct its own probe on the DOJ's orders.

The bureau said its task force is investigating all angles of the deaths, including whether foul play can be ruled out.

The bureau also said a finding of "no foul play" only rules out intentional harm and does not determine whether negligence played a role in the deaths.