The Philippine National Police (PNP) said Wednesday that around 10 individuals may face charges in connection with the deaths of Ateneo student-athletes Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili, who drowned during a team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora on June 8.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the investigation is nearing completion, with authorities preparing to refer the case to prosecutors within the week.
“We are accounting about more or less 11 or 10… We commit that it will be referred within this week,” Nartatez said in an interview at Camp Crame.
While he did not identify the individuals being considered for charges, Nartatez said investigators are looking into possible criminal liability linked to negligence and violations of the Anti-Hazing Law, citing that the incident resulted in deaths.
“If you are going to take a look at it, there is death. If there is death, there is a criminal liability or negligence leading to violation of the Anti-Hazing Law,” he said.
Nartatez added that the final determination of charges will rest with prosecutors once the PNP formally transmits its findings.
“As far as we are concerned, we will forward or refer these records of investigation to the prosecution,” he said, noting that the case file will be subject to further review by government lawyers.
“We have a case and it’s up to the prosecutors to file the case before the court,” he added.
The PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group earlier conducted a crime scene reconstruction as part of efforts to establish the sequence of events surrounding the drowning incident.
Nartatez said investigators are now close to concluding the probe and preparing recommendations for filing.