PNP: Only 2 Ateneo coaching staff gave statements on players’ drowning

MANILA, Philippines — Only two members of the Ateneo de Manila University men’s basketball coaching staff have so far given statements in connection with the drowning that killed players Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Wednesday.

During a press briefing in Camp Crame via teleconference, Aurora police chief Col. Percival Pineda confirmed that police investigators have yet to obtain statements from the two student-athletes’ teammates.

READ: PNP: Ateneo group 300 meters from resort, ‘asked to be alone’

“When our investigators and police tried to get a statement from them, they could not be spoken to properly. They were shocked. They were in a state of shock,” Pineda said in Filipino.

“The ones who gave their affidavits were the two coaching staff… Those two were the ones sent to speak for them,” he added.

He did not immediately name the two coaching staff who had given their statements.

Pineda said the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) is now working to obtain the statements of Baterbonia and Adili’s teammates, who have since returned to Manila.

The Aurora police chief also noted that the police and the CIDG had conducted an ocular inspection of the area where the incident occurred as part of the investigation.

The two student-athletes and their group were allegedly walking in waist-deep water parallel to the shore, about 300 meters from a beach resort in Dipaculao, Aurora, at around 2:40 p.m. last Monday, Pineda explained.

Baterbonia, Adili, and two others, however, were reportedly swept away by a current.

While the two others were immediately rescued, Baterbonia and Adili were found 30 to 40 minutes later, given first aid, brought to a medical facility, and later declared dead, according to Pineda.

The Aurora police earlier ruled out foul play in the deaths of Baterbonia and Adili.

On Monday, Ateneo extended its condolences and support to the families of Baterbonia and Adili.

Baterbonia, 19, recently played in the Palarong Pambansa finals two weeks ago and committed to the Blue Eagles program.

Adili, 21, a Nigerian student-athlete, played in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament last year. /mcm