Camille Naredo

A vigil for Rene Baterbonia at his home in Agusan del Sur. Hernel Tocmo, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Rene Baterbonia

Paige Javier

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/1781344449617Screen Shot 2026-06-13 at 9.51.35 AM.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="A vigil for Rene Baterbonia at his home in Agusan del Sur. Hernel Tocmo, ABS-CBN News"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">A vigil for Rene Baterbonia at his home in Agusan del Sur. <em>Hernel Tocmo, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA – The mother of the late student-athlete Rene Baterbonia is not satisfied with the statement of Ateneo Blue Eagles head coach Tab Baldwin. </p><p>Baterbonia and his fellow student-athlete Divine Adili died in a team-building activity on Monday in Dipaculao, Aurora. </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>After being silent for three days, Baldwin broke his silence in a pre-recorded statement released by Ateneo de Manila University on Friday. </p><p>In the nearly nine-minute video, the champion mentor apologized and said he failed as a leader, which led to the passing of two promising athletes. </p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2026/6/12/-i-failed-as-a-leader-as-a-coach-says-baldwin-as-he-breaks-silence-on-adili-baterbonia-s-death-1935">READ: ‘I failed as a leader, as a coach,’ says Baldwin as he breaks silence on Adili, Baterbonia’s deaths</a></div><p>But for the mother of Baterbonia, she said that no apology could make up or explain the death of her son, who was the hope of their family. </p><p>&quot;Dli madala sa apologies ang kamatayon sa Akong anak,&quot; she wrote in a Facebook post on Saturday. </p><p>(Hindi madadala sa apologies ang pagkamatay ng aking anak) </p><p>The Baterbonia matriarch lamented how up to now, she still does not have a clear understanding of the tragic events that led to her son&#x27;s demise. </p><p>She recalled how Ateneo officials did not update her of what happened to her son, resulting in her finding out about his death on social media. </p><p>&quot;Para ka mahibalo ang Ako gusto na ipahayag ninyo Kong onsa jud ang nahitabo nganong mo ingon mo na accident lang ang nahitabo sa Akong anak botang nko  accident lang pro Wala ko ninyo ko na update Kong naonsa na nahitabo nag post namo sa social media na na Patay na Akong anak pro Wala pa mo na sent sa akoa na picture na pagkamatuod Patay na jud Akong anak,&quot; Baterbonia added. </p><p>(Para malaman mo ang gusto kong ipahayag ninyo kung ano talaga ang nangyari kung bakit nasabi nyo na accident lang ang nangyari sa aking anak. Sabihin na natin na accident lang pero hindi nyo ako in-update kung ano ang nangyari, nag post na kayo sa social media na patay na ang aking anak pero hindi pa ninyo na-send sa akin ang picture na nagpapatunay na patay na ang aking anak) </p><p>The Baterbonia matriarch met with Ateneo coaching staff and representatives on Wednesday, but said she is still seeking clarity as she felt there was something missing from their explanation.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2026/6/13/baterbonia-s-former-coach-agent-appeal-to-tab-baldwin-and-ateneo-for-clarity-1012">READ: Baterbonia’s former coach, agent appeal to Tab Baldwin and Ateneo for clarity</a></div><p>Coach Jess Evangelio, Baterbonia&#x27;s former mentor, earlier said they are waiting, hoping, and praying Baldwin would explain to Baterbonia&#x27;s family what happened. </p><p>The Baterbonia matriarch had said she is not yet ready to face Baldwin, with her legal counsel saying they have not received any form of communication from the coach. </p><p>Should Baldwin want to reach out to the Baterbonia family, Atty. Israelito Torreon said it can be coursed through him. </p><p>Baterbonia&#x27;s remains have been flown back to Davao City, where a wake is being held at his former school Ateneo de Davao University Senior High School - Bangkal Campus. </p><p>The young basketball star was born and raised in Talacogon, Agusan del Sur before moving to Davao City to pursue his dreams. </p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2026/6/13/in-baterbonia-home-awards-stand-as-reminders-of-rene-s-budding-greatness-1328">READ: In Rene Baterbonia&#x27;s Agusan del Sur home, awards stand as reminders of budding greatness</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="960" height="540" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Q6dGkiMTes0?&amp;pp=0gcJCUELAYcqIYzv&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>The mother of the late student-athlete Rene Baterbonia is not satisfied with the statement of Ateneo Blue Eagles head coach Tab Baldwin.</p>

The mother of the late student-athlete Rene Baterbonia is not satisfied with the statement of Ateneo Blue Eagles head coach Tab Baldwin.

Rene Baterbonia's mom rejects Baldwin's apology, still seeks explanation

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Rene Baterbonia's mom rejects Baldwin's apology, still seeks explanation

Paige Javier,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 13, 2026 05:57 PM PHT

Read More:

Basketball

Rene Baterbonia

Divine Adili

Ateneo Blue Eagles

Tab Baldwin

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