PNP eyes submission of full report on Ateneo hoopers' drowning case to DOJ on June 23
The Philippine National Police (PNP) is set to submit its full report on the drowning of two members of the Ateneo de Manila University basketball team to the Department of Justice next week.
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla said they expect to complete the investigation this week as more Ateneo players arrived on Thursday, June 18, at the PNP’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group to give their statements.
“We are still gathering the facts. The report is not complete but tomorrow, those scheduled are coaches and probably by Tuesday (June 23) we would bring the full report to the DOJ” said Remulla.
Former Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin is expected to appear at the CIDG and if he would not show up, Remulla said the PNP has the power to cite him in contempt.
Remulla said there was no problem in the conduct of the investigation as even the players, their parents and the lawyers are comfortable with the investigation.
Once the probe is concluded, he said included in the report that they would submit to the DOJ are recommendations based on the result of the CIDG investigation.
Accountability
The purpose of the CIDG investigation is to establish the truth and PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr. said part of it is the aspect of accountability if there is any.
“We cannot still say at this point but we are leading to that,” said Nartatez when asked if the PNP may recommend filing of criminal charges.
Earlier, police said they are looking into the possibility of violation of the Anti-Hazing Law in the drowning of Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili.
“There is a possibility that they can probably be indicted for violation of the Anti-Hazing Law,” said Nartatez.
At this point, he said the PNP is utilizing almost all the investigators to fasttrack the conduct of the probe.
ILBO
On Thursday, June 17, the DOJ issued an Immigration Lookout Bulletin against Baldwin and four other members of the Ateneo basketball coaching staff.
Bureau of Immigration Dana Sandoval said the names of Baldwin, Christopher Quimpo, Reynaldo Jacinto, Jr., Dean Castaño and Sandro Soriano were already included in their data base for strict monitoring of their travel.
“If encountered, officers are instructed to coordinate and promptly inform the appropriate government agencies in order to obtain other relevant information that may be the basis for the proper course of action to be taken,” said Sandoval.