Jonathan Frederic De Santos

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

Article (news)

Hernel Tocmo

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17813971088961781397106577.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>A vigil for Rene Baterbonia at his home in Agusan del Sur. Hernel Tocmo, ABS-CBN News </div>DAVAO CITY — Ateneo de Davao University has offered full scholarships until college to the six siblings of the late basketball player Rene Baterbonia, who died in a drowning incident during an Ateneo de Manila University team-building activity in Aurora.University president Fr. Karel San Juan announced the scholarships before the conclusion of the Mass offered on Saturday for Baterbonia.San Juan said that although Baterbonia has passed away, they want to keep his memory alive by fulfilling his dream. That dream, he noted, was to help lift his family out of poverty through education.He said other Ateneo institutions, including Xavier University in Cagayan de Oro, are also willing to help, and they are prepared to support the siblings wherever they choose to study.&quot;Tuloy po natin ang pagdarasal sa pamilya po ni Bobet. Pangarap po ni Bobet sa kanyang pamilya ay matupad, kahit na po, sobrang lungkot natin. Wala na po siya, pero bubuhayin po natin si Bobet sa pamamagitan ng pangarap niya sa kanyang mga minamahal,” San Juan said.However, San Juan clarified that the family reportedly prefers the children to study in Davao so they can remain closer to their hometown in Agusan del Sur.Sunday is the final day of the public viewing for Baterbonia’s remains before they are transported to his hometown of Talacogon, Agusan del Sur.<div> </div><div>TORREON: APOLOGY NOT ENOUGH</div>Lawyers for the family meanwhile said that, aside from an apology over the death, Ateneo de Manila University must provide a detailed explanation of what happened during the team-building activity in Aurora and be held accountable for the incident.Atty. Israelito Torreon said the family&#x27;s disappointment began when Rene&#x27;s mother learned of his death not from university officials, but through a phone call from another person who confirmed his demise via a video call without providing a clear explanation of what had transpired.He said the family acknowledges Ateneo Blue Eagles head coach Tab Baldwin&#x27;s recorded video apology and recognizes the sincerity of his grief.However, Torreon emphasized that grief is not accountability, and that Baldwin failed to provide answers on the logistics and safety precautions at the team-building activity.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2026/6/13/rene-baterbonia-s-mom-rejects-baldwin-s-apology-still-seeks-explanation-1757">Rene Baterbonia&#x27;s mom rejects Baldwin&#x27;s apology, still seeks explanation </a></div>“He did not explain the sequence of events from 2:30 p.m. to the moment emergency services were called. He did not account for why the team was positioned away from the resort’s lifeguard-protected area, and why resort management warnings were disregarded,” Torreon said in a press conference in Davao City on Saturday.“The families need more than sorrow; they need the truth,” he added.Torreon criticized Ateneo de Manila University&#x27;s response, saying the institution had communicated only through &quot;nameless and faceless&quot; statements, despite remaining the primary source of information regarding the incident.He said the Baterbonia family wants ADMU to designate a representative who would communicate with them and with the family of student athlete Divine Adili, who also died in the incident. The Baterbonia family is also demanding that Rene&#x27;s teammates and coaches be allowed to speak freely and that ADMU provide a detailed chronological account of the team-building activity in Aurora.The National Bureau of Investigation and the police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group are already conducting investigations into the incident.<div><a 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">‘I failed as a leader, as a coach,’ says Baldwin as he breaks silence on Adili, Baterbonia’s deaths </a></div>The CIDG said last Friday that <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">it has issued subpoenas to players and coaching staff at the activity in Aurora</a> and have identified persons of interest in its probe. “Formal acknowledgment of institutional responsibility. Not condolences, but a direct acknowledgment that Rene and Divine died under Ateneo’s watch during an Ateneo activity and that the institution accepts responsibility for what happened and what was not done,” Torreon said.He said the families should also receive “proactive and unconditional support&quot; from the school.Atty. Resci Rizada Nolasco also pointed to Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Memorandum Circular No. 63, Series of 2017, which governs all off-campus activities of higher education institutions in the Philippines.Torreon said that under the CHED memorandum, there must be prior written approval from authorized school officials, a designated supervisor, a medical officer or first-aid personnel, a detailed risk management plan, and informed parental consent.He also expressed dissatisfaction with the ongoing local investigation in Aurora, noting difficulties in obtaining a complete picture of the tragedy.Torreon added he is still checking a video uploaded on social media of a woman claiming to be Baldwin&#x27;s wife and describing him as a dangerous man.&quot;I had to listen to it and we will verify if that will stand in court—of course we will utilize it, but subject to verification,&quot; he said.

Ateneo de Davao University has offered full scholarships until college to the six siblings of the late basketball player Rene Baterbonia, who died in a drowning incident during an Ateneo de Manila University team-building activity in Aurora.

Ateneo de Davao University has offered full scholarships until college to the six siblings of the late basketball player Rene Baterbonia, who died in a drowning incident during an Ateneo de Manila University team-building activity in Aurora.

Ateneo de Davao offers Baterbonia siblings scholarships as kin seek answers from ADMU

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Ateneo de Davao offers Baterbonia siblings scholarships as kin seek answers from ADMU

Hernel Tocmo

Published June 14, 2026 08:43 AM PHT

Read More:

Ateneo de Davao University

Ateneo de Manila University

Rene Baterbonia

Divine Adili

Israelito Torreon

Davao City

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