Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Article (news)

Hernel Tocmo

Vivienne Gulla

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/1781240897171Screen Shot 2026-06-12 at 11.04.41 AM (3).jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Vice President Sara Duterte expressed sadness over the deaths of basketball players Rene Clert Baterbonia and Divine Adili, saying she believes the Ateneo de Manila University fell short in its response to the incident. <em>ABS-CBN News/File and UAAP Media/NBTC</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Vice President Sara Duterte expressed sadness over the deaths of basketball players Rene Clert Baterbonia and Divine Adili, saying she believes the Ateneo de Manila University fell short in its <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/11/persons-of-interest-identified-subpoenas-issued-in-probe-of-ateneo-players-drowning-1744">response</a> to the incident.</p><p>Duterte made the statement after attending the 128th Independence Day celebration in Davao City on Friday.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2026/6/12/ateneo-posibleng-may-pananagutan-sa-pagkamatay-ng-2-atleta-sports-lawyer-0852">Ateneo posibleng may pananagutan sa pagkamatay ng 2 atleta–sports lawyer</a></div><p>“Dapat kasi sa mga ganyan na mga panahon ay nauuna ‘yung pag-reach out nila sa pamilya at pagpapaintindi sa pamilya kung ano ‘yung nangyari at ano ‘yung mga kailangan nilang gawin... the family and the school,” she said.</p><p>Duterte also called for justice for the two young and promising student-athletes. </p><p>She said that after the wake and burial of their loved ones, the families should focus on seeking justice.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2026/6/11/-no-weights-used-in-conditioning-exercise-in-knee-deep-water-says-ateneo-1622">‘No weights’ used in ‘conditioning exercise’ in knee-deep water, says Ateneo</a></div><p>“Actionable talaga ‘yung nangyari. Hindi ko na lang gatungan ‘yung pamilya kasi alam mo, mahirap ‘yung pinagdadaanan nila ngayon. Pagkatapos ng lahat ng kanilang kailangan gawin para sa burol at pagpapalibing ng kanilang anak, ay umupo sila at mag-isip kung ano ‘yung dapat na gawin nila para magbigyan ng hustisya ‘yung kanilang anak,” she said.</p><p>Baterbonia represented the Davao Eagles in the Palarong Pambansa after earning an off-campus scholarship and being admitted to Ateneo de Davao University.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2026/6/12/rene-baterbonia-s-remains-arrive-in-davao-1016">&#x27;Welcome home, Bobet&#x27;: Rene Baterbonia’s remains arrive in Davao</a></div><div> </div><div><strong> LAWMAKER SEEKS HOUSE PROBE</strong></div><div> </div><p>Meanwhile, another lawmaker is seeking a House probe into the deaths of Baterbonia and Adili.</p><p>Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco filed on Thursday House Resolution 1112, which directs the House Committee on Youth and Sports Development to conduct an inquiry in aid of legislation into the deaths of the two <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/11/baterbonia-s-legal-counsel-hopes-ateneo-allows-players-to-be-interviewed-2316">student-athletes</a> &quot;to determine the accountability and possible liabilities of the school, appropriate government agency or agencies, and to recommend measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.&quot;</p><p>“The cause or causes of the deaths of these student-athletes, the identities and roles of all persons and institutions responsible for their safety, and the applicable legal framework governing their protection remain a matter of urgent public concern requiring thorough legislative scrutiny,” the resolution stated.</p><p>“It is imperative to establish whether there exist adequate laws, rules, and regulations governing the conduct of athletic training in collegiate institutions, including minimum safety standards, mandatory pre-participation medical evaluations, emergency response protocols, and clear lines of accountability among governing bodies,” it added.</p><p>Tiangco, an alumnus of the Ateneo de Manila University, said the tragedy goes beyond school affiliation and demands a thorough examination of the systems responsible for ensuring the safety of young athletes.</p><p>&quot;Whenever young lives are lost under circumstances that raise serious questions about safety and supervision, we owe it to their families and to the public to find out exactly what happened and who should be held accountable,&quot; he said in a statement.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2026/6/11/psc-chairman-blasts-ateneo-s-tab-baldwin-he-has-to-come-forward-1439">PSC chairman blasts Ateneo&#x27;s Tab Baldwin: &#x27;He has to come forward&#x27;</a></div><p>&quot;We cannot bring Rene and Divine back. But we can honor their memory by ensuring that the truth comes out and that every institution entrusted with the welfare of student-athletes is held to the highest standard of responsibility and care,&quot; Tiangco added.</p><p>Last Wednesday, Pinoy Workers party-list Rep. Karl Legazpi filed a House Resolution seeking a House probe into the adequacy of existing policies, safety standards, and accountability mechanisms governing school-sponsored athletic programs, following the deaths of Baterbonia and Adili.</p><p>As part of its continuing investigation, Ateneo also said that head coach Tab Baldwin and team manager Christopher “Epok” Quimpo are <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2026/6/11/ateneo-says-baldwin-manager-epok-quimpo-on-leave-amid-probe-into-adili-baterbonia-deaths-1537">on leave</a>.</p><p>The school also committed itself to coordinating with all investigations being conducted by concerned authorities.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/11/drowning-at-ateneo-team-building-activity-what-we-know-so-far-2137">Drowning at Ateneo team-building activity: What we know so far</a></div><div><strong>—With a report from Rom Anzures, ABS-CBN News</strong></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS</strong></div><div><strong><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/Qu9qUdXgE-E?&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/wGdP-6jaN6Q?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>Vice President Sara Duterte expressed sadness over the deaths of basketball players Rene Clert Baterbonia and Divine Adili, saying she believes the Ateneo de Manila University fell short in its response to the incident.</p>

Vice President Sara Duterte expressed sadness over the deaths of basketball players Rene Clert Baterbonia and Divine Adili, saying she believes the Ateneo de Manila University fell short in its response to the incident.

Sara Duterte urges justice for Baterbonia, Adili: 'Actionable talaga ‘yung nangyari'

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Sara Duterte urges justice for Baterbonia, Adili: 'Actionable talaga ‘yung nangyari'

Hernel Tocmo,

Vivienne Gulla,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 12, 2026 01:14 PM PHT

Read More:

Sara Duterte

Vice President

Rene Baterbonia

Divine Adili

Ateneo de Manila

Davao City

House of Representatives

Toby Tiangco

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