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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Cops sent to Aurora for 'crime scene reconstruction' of college hoopers' drowning

Cops sent to Aurora for 'crime scene reconstruction' of college hoopers' drowning

Published Jun 23, 2026 10:03 am
Police investigators conduct crime scene reconstruction on June 23, 2026 at a beach resort in Dipaculao, Aurora where Ateneo basketbal players Rene Baterbonoa and Divine Adili drowned. (photo: CIDG)
Police investigators conduct crime scene reconstruction on June 23, 2026 at a beach resort in Dipaculao, Aurora where Ateneo basketbal players Rene Baterbonoa and Divine Adili drowned. (photo: CIDG)
Police investigators were sent to Aurora for what they refer to as crime scene reconstruction in order to come up with a clear picture on the circumstances that led to the drowning of two members of the Ateneo de Manila University college basketball team.
Maj. Gen. Robert Alexander Morico II, director of the police’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), said the crime scene investigation is part of the ongoing probe to determine if some personalities could be held liable for the drowning of Rene Baterboia and Divine Adili.
He said the deployment of CIDG personnel to a beach resort in Barangay Libis in Dipaculao town was coordinated with the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), the agency which sent a team of rescuers during the June 8 drowning incident.
“We assure the public that the investigators are leaving no stone unturned, and meticulously examine every piece of evidence, every scientific data point, and every witness account to ensure that justice is served to the victims,” said Morico.
Morico explained that the intention of the crime scene reconstruction is to analyze sea conditions, measure tide lines and map victim locations at the time of the incident.
These include determination of exact seawater situation at the time of the incident and calculation of the distance between dry beach surfaces and the water line to assess high tide conditions.
Probers will also establish where the victims were situated and last seen by cross-referencing CCTV footage with testimonies from players, coaches, and witnesses.
Morico said his men will also determine how far out the victims were and the exact depth of the water at that point.
“The Investigating Team deployed and utilized SONAR (Sound Navigation and Ranging) to map underwater topography and depth, and 3D scanner to capture highly accurate spatial data of the shoreline and scene,” said Morico.
“Our investigators also conducted a thorough safety audit to validate the presence of warning signages and required emergency safety measures along the beachfront area,” he added.
The CIDG earlier summoned former and active basketball players of the ADMU as part of its ongoing investigation.
The coaching staff were also summoned, including former head coach Tab Baldwin who faced the CIDG last week.
Police earlier said that they are eyeing possible violation of the Anti-Hazing Law by the coaching staff on the incident.

Related Tags

PNP CIDG ADMU Rene Baterbonia Divine Adili
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