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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Call to probe Ateneo drowning incident snowballs in House as ranking solons file resolution

Call to probe Ateneo drowning incident snowballs in House as ranking solons file resolution

Published Jun 18, 2026 01:45 pm

At A Glance

  • House "Young Guns" bloc filed HR No. 1129 to investigate the June 8 drowning of Ateneo student-athletes Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili.
  • The inquiry will review safety protocols, emergency response, and systemic safeguards in school athletic programs under the Student-Athletes Protection Act.
  • Lawmakers stress student-athlete safety, urging reforms and full cooperation from ADMU, DepEd, CHEd, PSC, UAAP, and LGUs.


The call to probe the tragic drowning of Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) student-athletes Rene Clert Baterbonia and Divine Adili is gaining traction at the House of Representatives.
Jointly filing House Resolution (HR) No.1129 for the purpose of an investigation in aid of legislation were "Young Guns" bloc members La Union 1st district Rep. Paolo Ortega V, Zambales 1st district Rep. Jay Khonghun, Manila 1st district Rep. Ernix Dionisio, and Lanao del Sur 1st district Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong.
Ortega and Khonghun are deputy speakers, while Dionisio and Adiong is a deputy majority leader and assistant majority leader, respectively.
That ranking congressmen have echoed the need to look deeper into the drowning of the Blue Eagles basketball squad members shows the House's seriousness in its quest for answers.
The resolution directs the Committee on Basic Education and Culture and the Committee on Higher and Technical Education to investigate the circumstances surrounding the June 8, 2026 incident during a university-sanctioned team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora.
It seeks to examine safety protocols, supervision, risk assessment, emergency response, and broader systemic safeguards in school athletic programs, with the end goal of strengthening protections for all student-athletes nationwide.
"Student-athletes are first and foremost students. Their pursuit of excellence in sports must never come at the cost of their lives,” the House Young Guns said.
“This tragedy compels us to ensure that every school, coach, and athletic program upholds the highest standards of safety. We owe it to these young athletes and their families to turn this loss into meaningful reform,” they added.
Earlier, the Committee on Public Order and Safety was reported to be preparing a motu proprio inquiry on the tragedy, which shocked the college sports scene.
The resolution highlights constitutional mandates to protect youth welfare, promote quality education, and foster sports development. It specifies an existing law, the Republic Act (RA) No. 10676 (Student-Athletes Protection Act) and the special parental authority of schools over students during authorized activities, including off-campus events.
The inquiry will review mandatory risk assessments and safety protocols for training, team-building, and off-campus activities. It will also examine requirements for qualified medical personnel, lifeguards, emergency transport, and communication systems, as well as certification and training for coaches and staff in first aid, CPR, water safety, and emergency response.
Additionally, the resolution calls for strengthened reporting systems for serious incidents across the Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHEd), Technical Education And Skills Development Authority
(TESDA), and athletic associations, along with a closer look at the adequacy of informed consent and liability waivers.
Ortega, who was a former student-athlete from San Beda Red Lions urged fellow lawmakers with personal experience in competitive sports to help Congress distinguish legitimate athletic preparation from practices that may have exposed players to unreasonable danger.
“These deaths must not be viewed in isolation. We must examine the entire framework governing student-athletes—from basic education to higher education—to prevent future tragedies. Safety should never be optional or left to the discretion of individual institutions,” said the authors of HB No.1129.
The resolution calls for an impartial, transparent inquiry in aid of legislation and urges concerned agencies—including ADMU, DepEd, CHEd, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), University Athletic Association of the Philippines , and local government units—to cooperate fully.
Ultimately, the Young Guns said they "mourn the untimely loss of these two promising young athletes whose lives were cut short while participating in what should have been a safe and enriching activity".

Related Tags

Ateneo Blue Eagles ADMU Young Guns Divine Adili Rene Clert Baterbonia House of Representatives
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