Romwel Anzures

Ateneo de Manila University's Divine Adili and Rene Baterbonia. Photos from UAAP Media/NBTC.

Article (news)

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1780979415602IMG_1138.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Ateneo de Manila University&#x27;s Divine Adili and Rene Baterbonia. Photos from UAAP Media/NBTC. MANILA (3rd UPDATE) — The Philippine National Police (PNP) Aurora Provincial Office on Tuesday said there is no indication of foul play in the drowning incident that claimed the lives of Divine Adili and Rene Baterbonia. </div><div><a class="fr-green" 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>“Natural accident po talaga ang nangyari, at sa ngayon, wala po tayong nakikitang foul play,” said Police Colonel Percival R. Pineda, acting provincial director of the Aurora PPO, in a press conference where they discussed their initial findings.“Based po sa ating nakuhang salaysay, itong insidente na ito ay talagang purely accident,” he added.According to Pineda, the incident happened at around 2:40 p.m. in front of the resort where the Ateneo de Manila University men&#x27;s basketball team was holding its team-building activity.The activity was joined by roughly 20 members of the team, including players and coaching staff.“Based po sa salaysay ng ating mga nakausap, meron po silang activity na kung saan lumakad po ang mga players sa tabing dagat,” said Pineda, before detailing what eventually transpired.“Nasa hanggang hita po ang lalim ng tubig, at bigla na lang po silang napunta sa malalim na parte. Yung part po ng nilalakaran nila ay may malalim na bahagi, at doon nga po, bigla silang tinangay ng current papunta sa mas malalim na bahagi ng dagat,” shared Pineda.“May mga kasama po sila na tumulong, at meron din pong lifeguard, pero sa kasamaang palad, nasawi nga po ang dalawa,” he added.They were brought to Aurora Memorial Hospital for resuscitation efforts but were declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.Pineda said it was not the first time the group had held activities at the resort and that they were familiar with the sea conditions in the area. He also addressed details circulating on social media, urging the public to refrain from sharing unverified information.“Iwasan na po natin yung kung anu-anong kumakalat na impormasyon,” said Pineda. “Baka po mali ito. Bilang tulong na rin po sa pagdadalamhati ng pamilya, iwasan na po natin ito para po sa kanilang katahimikan.”In a separate phone interview, Aurora Provincial Police Public Information Chief Major Lorena Bautista said it was not the first drowning incident in the area this year. Nonetheless, there is no immediate order to ban swimming, but authorities will intensify security measures and lifeguard deployments.Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla told reporters in Manila that a report on the incident would be prepared through the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.<div> </div><div>HOUSE INQUIRY</div>A lawmaker is planning to file a resolution calling into the safety standards of school-sponsored athletic programs after the incident.Pinoy Workers party-list Representative Karl Legazpi said the House Committee on Youth and Sports Development will be directed to investigate.Legazpi, a vice-chair of the committee, also hopes to look into existing policies and accountability mechanisms governing such school programs.&quot;If such a tragedy can happen in one of the country&#x27;s most respected educational institutions, then it is incumbent upon us to examine whether sufficient protections exist for student-athletes nationwide,&quot; said Legazpi, who condoled with the family and friends of the victims as well as the Ateneo community.Another House resolution may be filed in connection to the deaths of student-athletes, this time by the so-called &quot;Young Guns&quot; of the House.The group is composed of La Union 1st District Representative Francisco Paolo Ortega V, Zambales 1st District Representative Jefferson Khonghun, and Lanao Del Sur 1st District Zia Alonto Adiong.The lawmakers said they will file this resolution to conduct congressional inquiry into the drowning incident, and to compel agencies to check safety protocols and other factors that could have influenced the tragedy. The group of congressmen also called on concerned national government agencies to act swiftly to ensure justice is served for Adili and Baterbonia’s families.The <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=4153068551492446&amp;set=pcb.4153069264825708">local government of Agusan del Sur</a> is also calling for a &quot;thorough investigation&quot; and &quot;determination of accountability&quot; in Baterbonia&#x27;s passing.The 19-year-old was born and raised in Talagocogon, Agusan del Sur.Meanwhile, the Department of Health (DOH) expressed its sympathies to the families and loved ones of Adili and Baterbonia.“The DOH extends its deepest sympathies to the families, friends, and teammates of Rene Clert Baterbonia and Divine Adili. The unfortunate event calls attention to the fact that drowning remains a serious public health concern,” it said in a statement.The DOH also cited data on preventable injury-related deaths in the Philippines as part of its call to promote “a culture of water safety and drowning prevention.”“Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) show that drowning and submersion incidents claimed 3,580 lives in 2023 and 3,017 lives in 2024, remaining among the leading causes of preventable injury-related deaths in the country,” the department said.“Let us honor the memories of our young athletes by promoting water safety, active supervision of children, proper use of life jackets, safe behaviors around water, and lifesaving skills such as basic life support and hands-only CPR.”<div>-- with reports from Michael Delizo and Agatha Gregorio, ABS-CBN News</div>

The Philippine National Police (PNP) Aurora Provincial Office, in its initial findings, said on Tuesday that there was no indication of foul play in the drowning incident that claimed the lives of Divine Adili and Rene Baterbonia.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) Aurora Provincial Office, in its initial findings, said on Tuesday that there was no indication of foul play in the drowning incident that claimed the lives of Divine Adili and Rene Baterbonia.

PNP Aurora says no foul play in drowning of Ateneo's Adili, Baterbonia

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PNP Aurora says no foul play in drowning of Ateneo's Adili, Baterbonia

Rom Anzures,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 09, 2026 12:38 PM PHT

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Updated June 09, 2026 05:37 PM PHT

Read More:

Basketball

ABSSports

Divine Adili

Rene Bartebonia

Ateneo de Manila University

Ateneo Blue Eagles

Tab Baldwin

Ateneo

Auror PNP

Philippine National Police

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