Jamaine Punzalan

Article (news)

Katrina Domingo

Zyann Ambrosio

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17811540540161781154051577.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Ateneo de Manila University&#x27;s Divine Adili and Rene Baterbonia. Photos from UAAP Media/NBTC. <br style="caret-color:rgb(0, 0, 0);color:rgb(0, 0, 0)" id="isPasted"/></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The National Bureau of Investigation said Thursday it was looking at “all angles” in the drowning incident that killed Ateneo Blue Eagles basketball players Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili, including the reported lack of foul play. </p><p>The Aurora police earlier said there was <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2026/6/9/pnp-aurora-says-no-foul-play-in-drowning-of-ateneo-s-adili-baterbonia-1238">no indication of foul play</a> in the incident. Initial findings also indicate that Adili and Baterbonia could have been carried away from the shore by a<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/health-science/2026/6/11/what-is-a-rip-current-1151"> rip current </a>during their team-building activity at a resort. </p><p>The NBI said it deployed a dedicated task force that is “investigating all angles of these deaths, including the question of whether foul play is indeed absent.”</p><p>“Our respect for the work of the local police does not displace the Bureau’s duty to satisfy itself, independently and upon the evidence, of every circumstance surrounding this tragedy,” the agency said. </p><p>It noted that a “no foul play” finding only “speaks to the absence of intentional harm” but it does not answer whether these deaths resulted from negligence in the conduct of the activity.</p><p>“Under Article 365 of the Revised Penal Code, death caused by reckless or simple imprudence is a criminal matter wholly independent of any intent to harm. An event may be ‘accidental’ in the sense that no one wished it, and yet remain the product of a failure to exercise the care the law demands,” the NBI said. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/6/11/how-rescue-efforts-for-ateneo-s-baterbonia-adili-unfolded-1244">Rescue leader recounts efforts to save Ateneo&#x27;s Baterbonia, Adili</a></div><p>It said it was investigating “whether the hazards of the location and the condition of the sea were properly assessed, whether adequate safeguards and supervision were in place, and whether the chain of events that claimed these two lives reflects a breach of the duty owed to those entrusted to the institution’s care.”</p><p>“The Bureau wishes to be clear on one point. This inquiry is not directed at any institution because of its name, its standing, or its resources, and it is not pursued on behalf of any family because of theirs. The law fixes a single standard of care that binds every organizer of every activity, and it is measured against conduct and facts alone,” the NBI said. </p><p>“A prestigious institution is neither shielded by its stature nor singled out because of it. Those who would cast this tragedy as a struggle between the privileged and the powerless mistake both the law and the purpose of this inquiry,” it said. </p><p>The NBI said it would “proceed with objectivity, without prejudgment, and in full coordination with the Philippine National Police and the appropriate authorities.”</p><p>It asked the public “to refrain from speculation that prejudices either the families or those who may become the subject of inquiry, and to allow the facts to be established with the care this loss deserves.”</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/11/dole-summons-ateneo-s-tab-baldwin-over-employment-permit-1319">DOLE summons Ateneo’s Tab Baldwin over employment permit</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RESORT REPS SHOW UP</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Several representatives and staff members of the resort appeared Thursday before the NBI Homicide Division.</p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=236&amp;href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Freel%2F966107569756789%2F&amp;show_text=false&amp;width=560&amp;t=0" width="560" height="236" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span>Meanwhile, Malacañang said the investigation into Baterbonia and Adili’s deaths should be “immediate.” </div><p>“Nakikiramay po tayo sa pangyayaring ito,” Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said in a Palace briefing.</p><p>“Ang nais din po ng Pangulo — hindi lang sa sitwasyon na ito pero sa lahat ng Pilipino na napupunta sa ganitong klaseng sitwasyon — dapat po agaran ang pag-iimbestiga,” she said.</p><p>“Kailangan po talaga ng agarang pag-iimbestiga dito dahil hindi po naging maganda ang naging resulta ng sinasabing training,” she added.</p><p>The Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) drew criticism in recent days after Baterbonia’s mother questioned why she was not properly informed of her son’s passing, slamming the lack of communication lines between the school and families of the deceased.</p><p>The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) has formed a multi-stakeholders’ panel to investigate the incident, while the Senate is reportedly preparing a separate Congressional probe.</p><p>The legal counsels of the Baterbonia family have sought an Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order against Ateneo Blue Eagles Coach Tab Baldwin to ensure that authorities are able to obtain all relevant testimonies and perspectives as investigations continue.</p><p>Baldwin and Ateneo officials have yet to face the press to answer questions over the tragic incident.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CzoH-d115-Y?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/M2cKWPjaNJE?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br style="caret-color:rgb(0, 0, 0);color:rgb(0, 0, 0)"/></div>

<p>The National Bureau of Investigation said Thursday it was looking at “all angles” in the drowning incident that killed Ateneo Blue Eagles basketball players Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili, including the reported lack of foul play.</p>

The National Bureau of Investigation said Thursday it was looking at “all angles” in the drowning incident that killed Ateneo Blue Eagles basketball players Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili, including the reported lack of foul play.

NBI reviewing ‘no foul play’ finding in Baterbonia, Adili deaths

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NBI reviewing ‘no foul play’ finding in Baterbonia, Adili deaths

Jamaine Punzalan,

Katrina Domingo,

Zyann Ambrosio,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 11, 2026 01:12 PM PHT

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Updated June 11, 2026 03:27 PM PHT

Read More:

rescue

Ateneo

Rene Baterbonia

Divine Adili

police

NBI

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