DOJ asked to issue lookout order vs Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has been asked to issue a immigration lookout bulletin order (ILBO) against Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) college basketball coach Thomas Anthony “Tab” Baldwin.
This was sought by lawyer Israelito Torren on behalf of the family of ADMU college basketball team member Rene Cler Baterbonia in a June 10 letter addressed to DOJ Sec. Fredderick A. Vida.
Baterbonia, 19, and team mate Divine Adili, 21, were reported to have drowned last June 8 during a team building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora.
“He (Baldwin) is, at the very least, a material person whose knowledge may be indispensable in determining the circumstances surrounding the team-building activity, including who planned it, who authorized it, who supervised it, what safety protocols were in place, who approved the venue and itinerary, what warnings were given, what emergency response arrangements existed, and whether the activities conducted were consistent with reasonable standards of care for student-athletes,” said the lawyer in his letter to Vida.
The lawyer explained that the request for the ILBO is not meant to be “a punitive measure” or a substitute for a hold departure order (HDO). A HDO is issued by a court once charges have been filed and prevents a person from leaving the country.
Torreon pointed out that Baldwin is a foreign national and the ILBO was sought as “a prudent, narrowly tailored monitoring mechanism to ensure the Department of Justice, the National Bureau of Investigation, the Philippine National Police, and all concerned agencies are immediately informed should Coach Baldwin attempt to leave the Philippines while the material facts surrounding this tragedy remain under investigation.”
Though police has found no foul play in the deaths, the DOJ has ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to look into the tragedy.