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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider 'It's time for grief, not speculation': Nazal wants to end rumor-mongering amid Ateneo tragedy

'It's time for grief, not speculation': Nazal wants to end rumor-mongering amid Ateneo tragedy

Published Jun 9, 2026 08:24 pm

At A Glance

  • Rep. Robert Nazal, an Ateneo alumnus, urged the community to grieve rather than speculate following the drowning deaths of student‑athletes Divine Adili and Rene Clert Baterbonia.
  • He appealed for restraint, as he stressed that rumors and unverified claims only add to the families' burden.
  • Nazal honors the athletes' memory, calling for compassion, unity, and truth, while offering prayers for their loved ones' healing and strength.
Bagong Henerasyon (BH) Party-list Rep. Robert Nazal (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)
Bagong Henerasyon (BH) Party-list Rep. Robert Nazal (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)


An Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) alumnus in the House of Representatives says it is time for grief--and not speculation--in the community following the tragic deaths of men's basketball team members Divine Adili and Rene Clert Baterbonia.
"Like many Ateneans, I received the heartbreaking news of the passing of Rene Clert “Bobet” Baterbonia and Divine Adili with profound sadness," Bagong Henerasyon (BH) Party-list Rep. Robert Nazal said in a statement Tuesday afternoon, Tuesday.
"As an Atenean, I trust that the University, guided by its Jesuit tradition of service, compassion, and respect for human dignity, will continue to stand by the families and ensure that the circumstances surrounding this tragedy are examined thoroughly, fairly, and transparently," he said.
Nazal reckoned that the truth about the incident "must be established with honesty, accountability, and care for those most affected".
"At this moment, however, our foremost responsibility is not to speculate, but to grieve. Behind every news report are parents, siblings, relatives, teammates, and friends whose loss is immeasurable," stressed the House assistant minority leader.
ADMU announced that the two student-athletes drowned during a team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora, on Monday afternoon, June 8.
Some time later, online content shifted from reporting the tragic incident to raising questions about the propriety of ADMU's training regimen for its basketball players.
The Ateneo Blue Eagles are among the few glamour teams with a winning tradition as far as collegiate basketball is concerned.
"I respectfully appeal to the public to exercise restraint and responsibility in discussing this tragedy. Speculation, rumors, and unverified information [neither] help uncover the truth, nor do they ease the suffering of those who are mourning," Nazal said.
The solon warned that such rumor-mongering "risk adding to the burden already being carried by the families".
"Let us allow the proper processes to take their course while extending to the families the compassion, respect, and privacy they deserve," reckoned the second-termer.
Referring to Baterbonia and Adili, Nazal said: "As we mourn their loss, may we also honor their memory through compassion, unity, and a steadfast commitment to truth."
"We pray for the eternal repose of their souls, for healing and strength for their loved ones, and for wisdom and guidance for all those seeking answers in the wake of this tragedy. May they rest in peace," the party-list solon said.

Related Tags

Robert Nazal Divine Adili Rene Clert Baterbonia Ateneo Blue Eagles ATENEO
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