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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PNP urges netizens to avoid speculation, online hate as probe into death of 2 college basketball players continue

PNP urges netizens to avoid speculation, online hate as probe into death of 2 college basketball players continue

Published Jun 11, 2026 10:49 am
Rene Clert Baterbonia, right, and Divine Adili (Rene Clert Baterbonia Facebook post / UAAP Media)
Rene Clert Baterbonia, right, and Divine Adili (Rene Clert Baterbonia Facebook post / UAAP Media)
The Philippine National Police (PNP) urged netizens to respect the grieving family of two college basketball players by not posting or sharing speculations and unverified information on the fatal incident that happened while on a training camp in Aurora.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr. assured that police are assisting in the conduct of the investigation to determine all the circumstances that led to the death of two varsity players of Ateneo de Manila University basketball team.
“The unfortunate incident involving two college basketball players should not be a topic of online hate and debate. Let us show respect to the families, and trust the ongoing process of finding out what really happened,” said Nartatez.
Since news of the incident was reported, social media have been flooded with theories and various posts. 
In the initial conduct of the investigation, police investigators ruled out foul play in the death of the two players who were among those under a team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora.
And based on the initial report, Rene Baterbonia, was reported to have died due to “asphyxation by drowning”.
Police are yet to receive an official report as to the cause of death of Divine Adili.

But it was reported earlier that Adili’s family had requested to have his remains returned to Nigeria in keeping with tradition .
“The initial report was that there’s no foul play but as to the negligence or liability of anybody, we will find out once the investigation is completed,” said PNP spokesperson Col. Allen Rae Co.
Training
Police Col. Percival Pineda said the incident was reported by a lifeguard of the resort and the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO).
And based on the report, there was no indication of any foul play as the water activity appeared to be part of the training plan as following the reported request of the coaching staff for an exclusive use of a portion of the beach, according to Pineda.
Pineda said that based on the statements of the coaching staff, the Baterbonia and Adili, along with two other players ,were walking in waist-deep water as part of the training when they encountered strong waves and water current.
They were swept away and two of them were immediately rescued.
The cadavers of the Baterbonia and Adili were found “five armspans” away from the shoreline and around 30 to 40 minutes after they were reported missing, according to Pineda citing a report from the MDRRO.
There were reports that the players were using weights during the incident but Pineda said the report of the lifeguard and the MDRRMO revealed that there were no weights or any heavy objects were found.
Be responsible
Nartatez said the case is being handled through evidence-based and forensic procedures. Investigators are continuing to piece together the circumstances surrounding the incident.
CCTV footage from the area has already been recovered to help reconstruct the sequence of events.
“We have been communicating with all parties concerned and coordinating with other investigating agencies in relation to this incident,” said Nartatez.
“We urge our netizens to be responsible by refraining from speculations and sharing unverified stories and reports. Allow us to do our job and we assure of our commitment to finish the investigation in the soonest possible time,” he added.
Co, for his part, assured that there will be no whitewash in the conduct of the investigation since the main goal is to have a clear picture of what really happened.

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