The mother of late Ateneo de Manila University basketball player Rene Baterbonia has rejected the public apology issued by Blue Eagles head coach Tab Baldwin, saying that no expression of remorse can ease the pain of losing her son and that she is still demanding full transparency on the circumstances surrounding his death.
In a Facebook post over the weekend, Rovelyn Baterbonia said an apology was not enough for what she described as the irreversible loss of her child.
“Hindi kaya ng apologies ang kamatayan ng anak ko,” she said, stressing that what she wants is a clear and complete explanation of what happened.
Her remarks came after Baldwin released a video statement expressing grief and regret over the deaths of Baterbonia and teammate Divine Adili, who both drowned during a team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora on June 8, 2026. The Ateneo coach said he felt he had failed as a leader and a coach in the wake of the tragedy.
But the grieving mother questioned the lack of communication from the school and team in the immediate aftermath of the incident, saying she was not properly informed of developments and only learned details through public posts.
She also raised concerns about how the incident was initially described online, disputing the characterization that it was simply an accident without a fuller explanation of what transpired during the activity.
Authorities have previously said initial findings point to an accidental drowning involving rip currents during the outing, though multiple agencies, including law enforcement and education regulators, have launched separate reviews into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
In her post, Baterbonia underscored that no apology, public or private, can undo the loss she is now enduring.
The deaths of Baterbonia and Adili have sparked widespread mourning within the Ateneo community and renewed calls from families and supporters for a transparent accounting of what happened during the team activity.
For the Baterbonia family, however, the central demand remains unchanged: answers, not apologies.