MANILA — The Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) has endorsed the filing of anti-hazing charges against former Ateneo de Manila University men’s basketball coach Tab Baldwin and 10 other members of the team’s coaching staff over the deaths of two student-athletes during a team-building activity in Aurora.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said the recommendation has been forwarded to the Department of Justice (DOJ) for case evaluation and preliminary investigation under Republic Act No. 11053, or the Anti-Hazing Act.
Also named in the complaint are strength coaches Grant Dearns and Caesar Vincent Elumba, assistant coaches Dean Caesar Castaño, Sandro Nicholas Soriano and Reynaldo Jacinto Jr., student managers Paolo Manuel Adevoso and Andrew Lorenzo Salud, physical therapist John Eric Rueca, and utility personnel Aris Pronce and Joel Rapa.
Authorities alleged that the participants were subjected to physically demanding drills and hazardous sea activities during the June 8 team-building exercise that resulted in the drowning deaths of players Rene Baterbonia, 18, and Divine Adili, 21.
Remulla clarified that the CIDG’s recommendation is subject to the DOJ’s independent review, which will determine whether criminal charges should be formally filed.
The Interior chief also said investigators gathered testimonies indicating that similar training activities had allegedly taken place in previous years. If the case reaches the courts, the government will seek a hold departure order against Baldwin.
Investigators said more than 620 pages of sworn statements and other evidence support the recommendation for prosecution.
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Headline Version 4:
CIDG Seeks Prosecution of Baldwin, 10 Others Under Anti-Hazing Law
By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — Former Ateneo de Manila University basketball coach Tab Baldwin and 10 other members of the team’s coaching staff are facing recommended criminal charges after the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) concluded its investigation into the fatal team-building activity in Aurora.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla announced on Friday that the CIDG has asked the Department of Justice (DOJ) to conduct a preliminary investigation for alleged violations of the Anti-Hazing Act.
The recommendation covers coaches, student managers, a physical therapist and utility personnel who allegedly organized and supervised activities that investigators described as involving hazing, maltreatment and dangerous initiation exercises.
The probe stemmed from the June 8 incident that claimed the lives of Ateneo players Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili, who drowned during a sea-based training activity.
According to investigators, players were allegedly required to undergo extreme physical exercises despite hazardous conditions, with the activity reportedly intended to determine the team’s final roster.
Remulla said the DOJ will decide whether sufficient evidence exists to file charges. He added that authorities are prepared to request a hold departure order against Baldwin if the case is elevated before the courts.
Police officials expressed confidence that the evidence gathered, including hundreds of pages of witness testimonies, is sufficient to support prosecution under the Anti-Hazing Act.
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