CIDG recommends hazing charges against Tab Baldwin, 10 others over deaths of Ateneo players

The Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) has recommended the filing of criminal charges under the Anti-Hazing Act against former Ateneo de Manila University men’s basketball head coach Thomas Anthony “Tab” Baldwin and 10 other members of the team’s staff in connection with the deaths of two players during a training activity in Aurora province earlier this month.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla announced the recommendation during a press briefing in Quezon City, saying the Department of Justice (DOJ) would evaluate the evidence gathered by investigators and determine whether to pursue prosecution under Republic Act No. 11053, or the Anti-Hazing Act of 2018.

The charges stem from the deaths of Ateneo basketball players Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili, who drowned during a training exercise conducted in the municipality of Dipaculao, Aurora, on June 8.

“The PNP CIDG recommends the evaluation, case build-up and preliminary evaluation by the Department of Justice for violation of Republic Act No. 11053 or the Anti-Hazing Act against respondents who actually planned and participated in the hazing,” Remulla said.

Aside from Baldwin, the individuals named in the CIDG recommendation include:

• Strength and conditioning coach Grant Dearns
• Strength and conditioning coach Ceasar Vicent Javellana Elumba
• Assistant coach Dean Caesar B. Castaño
• Assistant coach Sandro Nicholas Romero Soriano
• Assistant coach Reynaldo Jacinto
• Student manager Paolo Manuel Maceda Adevoso
• Student manager Andrew Lorenzo “Drew” Bondoc Salud
• Physical therapist John Eric Quiambao Rueca
• Utility personnel Aris Ramos Pronce
• Utility personnel Joel “Boy” Palmiano Rapa

According to Remulla, investigators found that all 11 respondents were present during the training activity conducted at the beach in Aurora.

“They were all on the beach. No one stopped it. No one questioned it. No one pointed out that it was dangerous,” said Remulla.

The justice secretary explained that investigators based their recommendation on provisions of the Anti-Hazing Act that define hazing as acts that cause physical or psychological suffering, including forced physical activities and exposure to hazardous conditions.

“Our past concept of hazing was limited to just initiations. But, here, the team-building and training activity crossed over into hazing,” Remulla pointed out.

Department of the Interior and Local Government legal and legislative affairs chief Brian Tomas, who also attended the briefing, outlined the sequence of activities undertaken by members of the Ateneo men’s basketball team on the day of the incident.

According to Tomas, the players woke up at around 4 a.m. and were instructed to complete a four-kilometer run before participating in a series of physically demanding games, during which losing participants were subjected to punishment.

“This was subsequently followed by intense physical games and punishment for losers in these games,” he added.

The seawater training exercise that eventually led to the deaths of Baterbonia and Adili began at approximately 2 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., Tomas said. He noted that official records showed high tide in the area was expected at 2:27 p.m.

“It is clear from the itinerary of the players that they were subjected to intense physical activity,” Tomas maintained.

“The victims were exposed to a hazardous open-sea environment characterized by rip currents, strong waves and varying seabed depths,” he added.

Investigators also cited another provision of the Anti-Hazing Act, which covers acts committed as part of initiation rites or as a requirement for continued membership in an organization.

Tomas said 20 members of the Ateneo men’s basketball team participated in the Aurora activity, but only 17 players would ultimately be included in the final roster to be submitted to the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP).

“The supposed teambuilding activity conducted in Aurora was precisely made to determine which members of the team will make it to the final list submitted by coach Tab Baldwin to the UAAP board,” Tomas noted.

Meanwhile, CIDG Director Maj. Gen. Robert Morico reiterated earlier police findings that no weights or similar objects were found attached to the bodies of Baterbonia and Adili when they were recovered.

The statement reaffirmed earlier findings disclosed by the Aurora Provincial Police Office. The former provincial police director, Col. Percival Pineda, was subsequently relieved from his post after publicly stating that investigators had found no evidence of foul play shortly after the incident.

According to PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., Pineda’s remarks were premature given the ongoing investigation.

Remulla disclosed that investigators conducted an extensive inquiry over the past two weeks, gathering approximately 620 pages of testimony and conducting 320 hours of interviews involving 60 individuals, with 68 lawyers present during various stages of the investigation.

Despite the CIDG’s recommendation, Remulla emphasized that the final decision on whether to file charges remains with the Department of Justice.

He added that prosecutors would also determine whether additional individuals, including first responders present during the incident, could face liability.

Morico said members of the Baterbonia family had already been partially informed of the CIDG’s recommendation to pursue hazing charges.

“They were very cooperative and thankful,” the CIDG chief added.

In a statement released later Friday, Ateneo de Manila University spokesperson Fr. RB Hizon, SJ, said the university acknowledged the findings of the CIDG and would continue cooperating with ongoing investigations.

“We also recognize that other investigations remain ongoing, and we will continue to cooperate fully with all competent authorities as they complete their respective inquiries, while the CIDG’s recommendation will now be reviewed by the Department of Justice, as provided under the law,” Hizon said.

“We are confident that the facts will be fully and fairly evaluated through the proper process,” he added.

Baldwin had earlier issued a public apology through a video message posted on Ateneo’s social media platforms following the deaths of Baterbonia and Adili.