Romwel Anzures

Rene Clert Baterbonia in the 2026 National Basketball Training Center. File photo/NBTC.

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Hernel Tocmo

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1780988269022att.90d5r7IIyyS2v5sCq7EA2HwU_7Xp3TQ5B5cNvYH7hRY.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="Rene Clert Baterbonia in the 2026 National Basketball Training Center. File photo/NBTC."/>Rene Clert Baterbonia in the 2026 National Basketball Training Center. File photo/NBTC.MANILA (UPDATED) — The mother of 19-year-old Rene Baterbonia was inconsolable following the death of her son, who drowned during a team-building activity in Aurora.</div><div><a 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>Baterbonia’s mother met with Agusan del Sur Governor Santiago Cane Jr. on Tuesday and shared that she had supported her son through sports in the hope of lifting their family out of poverty.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2026/6/9/pnp-aurora-says-no-foul-play-in-drowning-of-ateneo-s-adili-baterbonia-1238">READ: PNP Aurora says no foul play in drowning of Ateneo&#x27;s Adili, Baterbonia</a></div>Baterbonia, who hailed from Agusan del Sur, pursued his studies in Davao City and represented the Davao Eagles (Ateneo de Davao University) in the 2025 Palarong Pambansa, where the team won the secondary boys’ basketball championship.He was also named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) last year. Just over a week ago, during this year’s Palarong Pambansa, he helped his team secure the silver medal in basketball.His participation in this year’s tournament was especially memorable because it was held in his home province. Many of his fellow AgSurnons packed the venue and cheered for him throughout the competition, even though he was representing a different region.He had recently joined the Ateneo de Manila University basketball team when the tragedy occurred.“Wala nila gi-orient nga, ‘Ma’am, pag moanhi imong anak, naa mi training nga ingon ani, ingon ana…’ Kay kung gipasabot lang ko nila nga naa na, dili ko mosugot, bahalag magkalisod mi. Di nako siya ipaadto didto,” she told Gov. Cane.(They never informed me, ‘Ma’am, if your son joins us, we have this kind of training and activities.’ If they had only explained that to me, I would not have allowed him to join, even if we continued to struggle financially. I would not have let him go there.)Cane assured the family that the provincial government would assist with the parents’ transportation expenses to Manila and provide support until Rene’s wake and funeral arrangements were settled.In a <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.facebook.com/rovelyn.baterbonia.7/posts/pfbid02w7w6fVfAwLj3SZzW8dMb9tL4AVkn4GmAeYWWfGaPnkpBQZVh6vvfzMQGDP1KXA5Nl?rdid=8VFVNehdMzdBS5AA#">Facebook post</a>, Baterbonia’s mother said that she has yet to see her son&#x27;s body and have not been provided with photos or videos.&quot;Wala pa akong authorization na mag-post kayo ... Wala kayong respeto sa aming pamilya na hanggang ngayon wala pa talagang binigay na balita sa totoong nangyari at kung nasaan na ang anak ko... at bakit na umabot sa ganoon,&quot; she added.In a statement on Tuesday evening, Ateneo said they have met with the families of both Baterbonia and Adili.&quot;At the request of Rene&#x27;s parents, an autopsy will be conducted,&quot; they said. They also assured that they will continue to care for the families of the victims as well as the team and the coaching staff.&quot;The University remains committed to ... pursuing a careful and thorough understanding of the circumstances surrounding this tragedy,&quot; they also said.

The mother of 19-year-old Rene Baterbonia was inconsolable following the death of her son, who drowned during a team-building activity in Aurora.

The mother of 19-year-old Rene Baterbonia was inconsolable following the death of her son, who drowned during a team-building activity in Aurora.

Mother mourns loss of Rene Baterbonia after team-building tragedy

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Mother mourns loss of Rene Baterbonia after team-building tragedy

Hernel Tocmo,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 09, 2026 03:16 PM PHT

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Updated June 09, 2026 06:32 PM PHT

Read More:

Basketball

ABSSports

Divine Adili

Rene Bartebonia

Ateneo de Manila University

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Ateneo

Aurora PNP

Philippine National Police

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