Camille Naredo

Article (news)

Emmanuel Fernandez

Jessie Cruzat

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA -- Ateneo de Manila University athletics director Emmanuel Fernandez was not involved in the planning and execution of the Ateneo men&#x27;s basketball team&#x27;s team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora, his lawyer said on Monday.</p><p>Fernandez appeared before the NBI Homicide Division on Monday morning, June 29, in connection with the agency&#x27;s investigation into the deaths of student-athletes Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2026/6/8/uaap-ateneo-s-adili-baterbonia-pass-away-in-drowning-incident-1959">READ: Ateneo&#x27;s Adili, Baterbonia pass away in drowning incident</a></div><p>&quot;Essentially he was not part of the planning and execution and he was not there,&quot; said Atty. Peter Castillo, Fernandez&#x27;s legal counsel.</p><p>Castillo said Fernandez has been fully cooperative with authorities, adding that his client has already submitted his affidavit.</p><p>&quot;We will leave it to investigators. We just cooperated. We just told what we know, what he knows, and then it&#x27;s up for the investigators to come up with the report.&quot;</p><p>When asked if Fernandez had any message for the families of Baterbonia and Adili, the athletic director declined to comment.</p><p>&quot;Of course we condole with the family. Nobody wants the tragedy to happen,&quot; Castillo added.</p><p>The NBI Homicide Division said six individuals, including other coaching staff and a physical therapist, are expected to appear before the agency on Monday.</p><p>Last week, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) said it is looking into possible homicide and anti-hazing violations in connection with the deaths of the Ateneo student-athletes.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/15/cidg-eyes-possible-hazing-homicide-charges-in-deaths-of-2-ateneo-student-athletes-1706">READ: CIDG eyes possible hazing, homicide charges in deaths of 2 Ateneo student-athletes</a></div><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2026/6/28/ateneo-vows-support-for-student-managers-utility-staff-named-in-hazing-complaint-1709">READ: Ateneo vows support for student managers, utility staff named in hazing complaint</a></div><p>Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin and team manager Christopher &quot;Epok&quot; Quimpo have resigned in the wake of the tragedy.</p><p>Baldwin on Monday faced a hearing regarding his work permit at the <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/29/tab-baldwin-attends-dole-hearing-on-work-permit-1143">Department of Labor and Employment</a> office in Manila.</p>

<p>Ateneo de Manila University athletics director Emmanuel Fernandez was not involved in the planning and execution of the Ateneo men's basketball team's team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora, his lawyer said on Monday.</p>

Ateneo de Manila University athletics director Emmanuel Fernandez was not involved in the planning and execution of the Ateneo men's basketball team's team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora, his lawyer said on Monday.

'He was not aware': Ateneo athletic director had no role in Aurora team-building activity, says lawyer

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'He was not aware': Ateneo athletic director had no role in Aurora team-building activity, says lawyer

Jessie Cruzat,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 29, 2026 01:45 PM PHT

Read More:

Ateneo de Manila University

Ateneo Blue Eagles

Ateneo Athletics Office

Emmanuel Fernandez

NBI

Rene Baterbonia

Divine Adili

Aurora drowning

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