The Aurora Provincial Police Office (PPO) said Tuesday it has found no indication of foul play in the drowning deaths of Ateneo de Manila University student-athletes Divine Adili and Rene Clert Baterbonia during a team-building activity in Aurora.
Police Col. Percival Pineda, acting provincial director of the Aurora PPO, said initial findings showed the incident was accidental.
“Natural accident po talaga ang nangyari, at sa ngayon, wala po tayong nakikitang foul play,” Pineda said in a press conference.
Based on statements gathered by investigators, the incident happened at around 2:40 p.m. in front of the resort where the Ateneo men’s basketball team was holding its activity. Around 20 members of the team, including players and coaching staff, joined the event.
Pineda said the players were walking along the shoreline where the water was initially only thigh-deep when they suddenly reached a deeper portion and were swept by the current.
“Bigla silang tinangay ng current papunta sa mas malalim na bahagi ng dagat,” he said.
Other members of the group and a lifeguard tried to help, but Adili and Baterbonia were later brought to Aurora Memorial Hospital, where they were declared dead on arrival.
Rovelyn, mother of Ateneo Men’s Basketball Team player Rene Baterbonia, is grieving her son’s death and is seeking answers over the circumstances surrounding the team activity where the incident happened.
She questioned why Rene was not immediately saved and why he was allegedly made to swim with weights attached to his arms and feet. Rovelyn said she wants a full investigation to determine what really happened and to ensure justice for her son.
Police said it was not the first time the group had held activities at the resort and that they were familiar with sea conditions in the area.
Pineda also appealed to the public to avoid spreading unverified information about the incident out of respect for the families of the victims.
“Iwasan na po natin yung kung anu-anong kumakalat na impormasyon,” he said. “Bilang tulong na rin po sa pagdadalamhati ng pamilya, iwasan na po natin ito para po sa kanilang katahimikan.”
Aurora police said swimming has not been banned in the area, but authorities will intensify security measures and lifeguard deployment following the incident.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said a report on the drowning would be prepared through the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.
The incident has also prompted calls in the House of Representatives for a review of safety standards in school-sponsored athletic and team-building activities.
An inquiry will be sought regarding existing policies and accountability mechanisms covering student-athlete programs. The congressional inquiry will look into safety protocols and other factors that may have contributed to the tragedy.
The Department of Health extended its sympathies to the families, friends, and teammates of the two athletes, saying the incident underscores the need to promote water safety and drowning prevention.
“Let us honor the memories of our young athletes by promoting water safety, active supervision of children, proper use of life jackets, safe behaviors around water, and lifesaving skills such as basic life support and hands-only CPR,” the DOH said.