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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Baterbonia's bruises show attempt to save teammate Adili in Aurora drowning incident

Baterbonia's bruises show attempt to save teammate Adili in Aurora drowning incident

Published Jun 30, 2026 12:19 pm  |  Updated Jun 30, 2026 05:17 pm
Initial findings looked like that Ateneo basketball player Rene Baterbonia tried to save teammate Divine Adili from drowning that eventually led to their deaths during the team building activity in Aurora, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic’’ Remulla said Tuesday, June 30.
Since Adili cannot swim, Remulla said that this caused Baterbonia to have “so many bruises’’ in his body, describing the deed as “an act of heroism.’’
“Rene Baterbonia knew how to swim, but our theory is he tried to save Divine Adili. That's why he has so many bruises on his body. Because he is the only one with bruises, the others don't. There was no paddling,’’ Remulla noted.
In the wake of the tragic June 8 Aurora team-building incident, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) had recommended the filing of complaints against resigned Ateneo head basketball coach Tab Baldwin and 10 members of his coaching staff in connection with the Aurora drowning incident.
Aside from Baldwin, the CIDG’s recommended respondents include Grant Dearns, strength and conditioning coach; Caesar Vincent Javellana Elumba, strength and conditioning coach; Dean Caesar B. Castaño, assistant coach; Sandro Nicholas Romero Soriano, assistant coach; Reynaldo C. Jacinto Jr., assistant coach. Paolo Manuel Maceda Adevoso, student manager; Andrew Lorenzo Bondoc Salud, student manager; John Eric Quiambao Rueca, physical therapist; Aris Ramos Pronce, utility/ball boy; and Joel Palmiano Rapa, utility/ball boy.
When quizzed on why the student managers and utility workers were included in the CIDG’s recommendation, Remulla explained that this was based on the special law in the “Anti-hazing Act,’’ specifying that those present in the “hazing’’ are treated as accessories to the crime.
“Under this law, the mere presence of any person during the hazing is prima facie evidence of participation as a principal,’’ Remulla noted.
Despite the CIDG’s recommendation, Remulla clarified that the student managers and utility workers can be excluded from the list of respondents and become witnesses depending on the appreciation of the Department of Justice (DOJ)
Likewise, Remulla stressed that the other student-athletes present during the June 8 team-building activity were also “victims’’ and not included from the hazing case build-up recommended by the police.
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