Aurora: The Philippine National Police (PNP) will conduct a thorough investigation into the deaths of college basketball players Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili in Aurora province. The two athletes, members of the Ateneo de Manila University men's basketball team, reportedly drowned during a team-building activity at a resort in Dipaculao on Monday. Initial investigations showed that the two cagers drowned while participating in activities at the resort.
According to Philippines News Agency, in a press briefing on Wednesday, PNP spokesperson Col. Allen Rae Co stated that the investigation would determine whether negligence contributed to the incident. "As to the negligence of anybody or liability ng kung sinumang partido ay malalaman natin (of whoever, we will find that out) once the investigation is completed. We assure you we will be providing updates and findings once it's been completed," Co said, assuring the public that "everything will be transparent" in the investigation.
Aurora Provincial Police Director Col. Percival Pineda said affidavits submitted by the resort's lifeguard and the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) indicated there was no foul play in the deaths of Adili and Baterbonia. Pineda added that, based on the post-mortem examination conducted on Baterbonia, the cause of death was "asphyxiation by drowning." He also mentioned that upon the team's arrival at the resort, members of the coaching staff requested privacy from the resort management during their activities, which were reportedly held mostly along the shoreline.
The bodies of Baterbonia and Adili, a Nigerian import, were found about five meters from the shoreline, approximately 30 to 40 minutes after they were reported missing. "According to the resort management we spoke to, there were waves at that time and they were swept out because of the strong current and based on the statement of MDRRMO, their search lasted around 30 to 40 minutes," Pineda said. Pineda also noted that the group had allegedly ignored the resort management's warning about sea conditions at the time of the incident.
