Camille Naredo

Ateneo De Manila University campus in Katipunan, Quezon City in this photo taken on May 26, 2023. Gigie Cruz, ABS-CBN News/File

Ateneo De Manila University campus in Katipunan, Quezon City in this photo taken on May 26, 2023. Gigie Cruz, ABS-CBN News

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ATENEO DE MANILA

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/178150837727320230526-ateneo-de-manila-GCS151442.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="Ateneo De Manila University campus in Katipunan, Quezon City in this photo taken on May 26, 2023. Gigie Cruz, ABS-CBN News/File"/>Ateneo De Manila University campus in Katipunan, Quezon City in this photo taken on May 26, 2023. Gigie Cruz, ABS-CBN News/File</div>MANILA -- The president of the Ateneo de Manila University on Monday said the school had reached out to the families of student-athletes Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili on the very same night of the drowning incident that claimed their lives last June 8.Baterbonia and Adili died in the tragic incident while the Blue Eagles were conducting a team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora.<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’s Adili, Baterbonia pass away in drowning incident</a></div>The university has since come under fire for its response to the incident, with even professors, alumni and students calling for greater transparency and accountability, as well as changes in the conduct of Ateneo&#x27;s athletic programs.The families of Adili and Baterbonia had expressed dismay over how they learned of the news, as they said that they discovered details of the incident through social media rather than through university officials.But Fr. Bobby Yap, SJ on Monday said they were in contact with the families after the tragedy.&quot;There was somebody from Ateneo who spoke to her on the very night it happened. I would like to respect the dignity ... I don&#x27;t want to give details of that conversation,&quot; he said.Yap added that they offered to fly the Baterbonia family to Manila, but they understood and respected their decision to accept the help of the local government of Agusan del Sur instead.&quot;We tried to reach out first, we did try to support as much as we can, the wake, the care of the family,&quot; he said.A week after the incident, Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin and team manager Christopher &quot;Epok&quot; Quimpo resigned from their posts.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2026/6/15/ateneo-head-coach-tab-baldwin-resigns-in-wake-of-student-athletes-deaths-1424">READ: Ateneo coach Baldwin, team manager Quimpo resign after deaths of student-athletes</a></div>Neither Quimpo nor Baldwin also appeared at Camp Crame on Monday, after being subpoenaed by the  Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in connection to the incident.Baldwin broke his silence on Friday, apologizing for what had happened and acknowledging his &quot;failure&quot; as a coach and a leader. However, the Baterbonia and Adili families rejected his apologies, instead asking that the coach explain to them directly.&quot;<a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2026/6/13/divine-adili-s-family-on-tab-baldwin-s-apology-the-damage-has-been-done-2347">He ought to have called us</a>, as the people involved. And not going through media or through the internet or whatever. He was supposed to reach us personally and then tell us because right now we are still in a state of confusion,&quot; said Divine&#x27;s father, Elias Adili.&quot;Hindi madadala sa apologies ang pagkamatay ng aking anak,&quot; <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2026/6/13/rene-baterbonia-s-mom-rejects-baldwin-s-apology-still-seeks-explanation-1757">wrote Baterbonia&#x27;s mother on social media</a>. &quot;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.&quot;

The president of the Ateneo de Manila University on Monday said the school had reached out to the families of student-athletes Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili on the very same night of the drowning incident that claimed their lives last June 8.

The president of the Ateneo de Manila University on Monday said the school had reached out to the families of student-athletes Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili on the very same night of the drowning incident that claimed their lives last June 8.

Ateneo president says university reached out Baterbonia, Adili families after drowning incident

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Ateneo president says university reached out Baterbonia, Adili families after drowning incident

ABS-CBN News

Published June 15, 2026 03:28 PM PHT

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Ateneo de Manila University

ADMU

Rene Baterbonia

Divine Adili

Tab Baldwin

Ateneo Blue Eagles

Bobby Yap

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