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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PNP wraps up probe results, to recommend case to DOJ on Ateneo hoopers drowning

PNP wraps up probe results, to recommend case to DOJ on Ateneo hoopers drowning

Published Jun 24, 2026 12:18 pm

At A Glance

  • PNP says a case may be recommended against 10 to 11 people
  • The case will be referred to the DOJ either this week or next week
NARTATEZ (PNP FB)
NARTATEZ (PNP FB)
The Philippine National Police (PNP) is now wrapping up the results of its investigation into the death of two players of the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) basketball team in Aurora.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr. said they hope to refer a case to the Department of Justice for final review on the appropriate charges and the number of persons that could be slapped with criminal charges based on the pieces of evidence obtained by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).
The CIDG is taking the lead in the investigation and based on the latest assessment, Nartatez said a case will be recommended against 10 to 11 members of the coaching staff of the ADMU basketball team.
“We have a case and it’s up to the prosecution to file a case. On the part of the PNP, we will forward or refer these records of investigation to the prosecution with the recommendations,” said Nartatez.
Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili drowned while undergoing off-campus training activity on a beach resort in Aurora on June 8. 
On Tuesday morning, June 23, police investigators conducted crime scene reconstruction in the area where the incident happened to fully understand what happened, including analysis of sea condition, measurement of tide lines and mapping victim locations at the time of the incident.
It also included determination of the 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.
What the PNP wants to establish is whether or not there was criminal liability, negligence, or possible violation of the Anti-Hazing Law.
Nartatez said this was the reason behind the invitation to as many resource persons—from former to active players and coaching staff and officials of ADMU.
“Of course the death is drowning but we did not stop there. Our goal is to establish what really transpired, and that is the job of the CIDG. We seek the truth and in seeking the truth, we gather facts,” said Nartatez.
He said they hope to refer the case to the DOJ either this week or next week.

Related Tags

ADMU Rene Baterbonia Divine Adili PNP
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