AFTER two grueling weeks of investigation and interrogation, the Philippine National Police (PNP) hinted at filing criminal charges against Ateneo men’s basketball team head coach Tab Baldwin and 10 others over the tragedy that struck two of its promising athletes.
“Simply put, we have a case. And it’s up to the prosecution to file a case. On our end, we will forward or refer these records of investigation to the prosecution, and they will prosecute,” PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez said.
When asked to provide details on the complaints that would be filed against Baldwin and others, Nartatez hinted at a non-bailable criminal offense against the former coach and 10 other individuals, mostly staff of the Ateneo men’s basketball team.
MORE LIKE HAZING
According to Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, the findings submitted by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) to the Department of Justice (DOJ) is “rather conclusive.”
“Our investigation is nearly complete. It’s rather conclusive,” Remulla told reporters.
The CIDG recommended the filing of complaints for alleged violations of Republic Act 11053 (Anti-Hazing Act) Baldwin in connection with the drowning deaths of Ateneo cagers Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili during a team-building activity in Aurora on June 8.
BALDWIN PLUS 10
Aside from Baldwin, the CIDG also recommended pressing charges against the following:
- Grant Dearns, strength and conditioning coach
- Caesar Vincent Javellana Elumba, strength and conditioning coach
- Dean Caesar B. Castaño, assistant coach
- Sandro Nicholas Romero Soriano, assistant coach
- Reynaldo C. Jacinto Jr., assistant coach
- Paolo Manuel Maceda Adevoso, student manager
- Andrew Lorenzo Bondoc Salud, student manager
- John Eric Quiambao Rueca, physical therapist
- Aris Ramos Ponce, utility/ball boy
- Joel Palmiano Rapa, utility/ball boy
PUNITIVE TRAINING
DILG Assistant Secretary Brian Mey Tomas said that the Ateneo athletes were allegedly subjected to extreme physical activities, punishment exercises, and sea-based training under hazardous conditions.
The extreme kind of training, Tomas added, may constitute a non-bailable crime of hazing under RA 11053.
He however clarified that it would still be the DOJ who will make the final determination after conducting a preliminary investigation.
Investigators also gathered testimonies from former Ateneo players alleging similar near-drowning incidents occurred during a 2016 training camp at the same location.
