Chalssea Kate Echegoyen

What the CIDG found in its probe into the Ateneo team-building activity in Aurora

Article (news)

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — The Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) found that the June 8 “team-building” activity of the Ateneo Blue Eagles in Dipaculao, Aurora contained elements of hazing and has recommended the filing of complaints against some who allegedly planned and participated in the activity.</p><p>The findings were released by the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the PNP-CIDG as of June 26:</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Why was the activity considered hazing?</strong><br/><br/></div><p>The CIDG said the activity involved “elements of hazing,” citing the physical suffering that players experienced in activities in done in seawater. experienced by players during the seawater-based activity.</p><p>Police said holding the activities in the sea constituted hazing because there was an alleged intent to cause physical suffering.</p><p>They also said former head coach Tad Baldwin was aware of the low- and high-tide conditions in the area.</p><p>They said investigators considered the drowning of Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili a “clear case of physical suffering.”</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>What was the activity for?</strong></div><p>A coaching staff member testified that the activity was not specifically related to basketball skills. Instead, it was intended to assess the players’ “mental condition and toughness.”</p><p>Investigators said the activity was conducted to determine which athletes would be included in Baldwin’s final roster to be submitted to the University Athletic Association of the Philippines board.</p><p>Of the 20 athletes who attended, only 17 were expected to make the final list.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>What charges did the CIDG recommend?</strong></div><p>They recommended the filing of complaints for alleged violation of the Anti-Hazing Law against the following who allegedly planned and participated in the activity:</p><p>• Former head coach Tab Baldwin</p><p>• three assistant coaches</p><p>• two strength and conditioning coaches</p><p>• student managers</p><p>• two utility/ball boys</p><p>•  a physical therapist</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>What happened before the drowning?</strong></div><p>Players were reportedly awakened at around 4 a.m. by a siren.</p><p>They were made to run approximately four kilometers before participating in intense physical games.</p><p>Then-team manager Christopher Quimpo reportedly advised against holding the activity but Baldwin said there was no opposition to proceeding with it.</p><p>Investigators also found that Baterbonia knew how to swim. While Adili and four other players were not swimmers.</p><p>Former players testified about alleged untoward incidents during similar activities in the same location in 2016 and 2017.</p><p>Baldwin, in his testimony, said no previous incidents “created the idea of drowning.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>What was the involvement of Ateneo and Smart in the activity?</strong></div><p>The investigation found that Ateneo de Manila University was not aware of the activity.</p><p>Smart Communications was identified only as a team sponsor and was not involved in organizing the activity.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>What happens next?</strong></div><p><strong></strong>The CIDG is recommending that the Department of Justice conduct a preliminary investigation and case build-up on Baldwin and 10 others who “planned and participated in the hazing.”</p><p>A preliminary investigation is meant to determine whether cases should be filed in court.</p><div><strong></strong></div><div><br/><strong>RELATED STORIES</strong></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/26/cidg-dilg-hazing-tab-baldwin-ateneo-adili-baterbonia-1042">CIDG eyes hazing raps vs Tab Baldwin, 10 others over Baterbonia, Adili deaths</a></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2026/6/22/ateneo-observes-40-day-mourning-period-following-adili-baterbonia-deaths-2359">Ateneo observes 40-day mourning period following Adili, Baterbonia deaths</a></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/23/ched-issues-show-cause-order-vs-ateneo-over-student-athletes-deaths-2105">CHED issues show cause order vs Ateneo over student-athletes&#x27; deaths</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></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/1DRlhPGIGcI?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>The Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group found that the June 8 “team-building” activity of the Ateneo Blue Eagles in Aurora contained elements of hazing and has recommended the filing of complaints against some who allegedly planned and participated in the activity.</p>

The Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group found that the June 8 “team-building” activity of the Ateneo Blue Eagles in Aurora contained elements of hazing and has recommended the filing of complaints against some who allegedly planned and participated in the activity.