Mom of Ateneo rookie Baterbonia tells Toni Gonzaga: ‘Ang dami pang question na naiwan’

Rovelyn Baterbonia continues to grapple with unanswered questions on the death of her son, Ateneo varsity recruit Rene, also called Bobet. She still has not received a complete account on what really happened during the team-building activity in Aurora that led to his son's death.

Speaking to actress-host Toni Gonzaga on “Toni Talks,” Rovelyn opened up about the pain of losing Bobet, as well as her frustration over hearing different narratives without receiving a clear account from those who were there.

Rovelyn said Bobet had told her that he was going to Baler for training. She said she was not informed that the activity would involve Bobet going into the sea.

After her son’s death, Rovelyn said nobody gave her a complete explanation of what had happened.

“Wala pa po akong [narinig] na nagkwento na ganyan ang nangyari doon.”

When Toni pointed out that details about the incident had already surfaced in news reports, including claims that Bobet allegedly drowned while weights were involved, Rovelyn said she was not aware of that information.

“Hindi ko po iyon alam. Kung may nakalagay sa kanya, ganyan,” she said.

Rovelyn also said she had not spoken with anyone from the team-building activity. Because of this, she said she could not confirm the different accounts that had been reported publicly.

The only details she knew were those that had been relayed to her by people she has spoken with.

Rovelyn said she was told that Bobet, who was around six feet tall, was in an area where the water was considered deep. While the water reached around his thighs, it was said to be only around knee-deep for some of the other players.

“Tapos may coaches daw na tatlo daw, ganyan. Staff ng coaches nila, assistant coach.”

She was also told that strong waves were hitting the area and that the players were initially enjoying themselves. Later, they began separating from one another, and Bobet could no longer be seen.

One account that has continued to haunt Rovelyn was that someone saw Bobet calling for help. “Tapos sabi nila na nakita pa daw niya si Bobet na gumaganon, ‘help, help,’” she recalled.

According to the details she heard, another player was rescued. “Tapos siya na hindi marunong maglangoy, naiahon. Iyong anak ko na marunong maglangoy, hindi naiahon.”

That left Rovelyn asking a question she continues to carry: “Ang dami nila, ba't walang tumulong? Kung narinig pala nila iyong help ng anak ko.”

Rovelyn declined to identify the people who allegedly shared those details with her, including the person who reportedly heard Bobet asking for help. She said there are still details she is not comfortable discussing publicly as their family continues to seek justice.

But she made clear that her desire for answers is not only about her own son.

“Wala nang ibang mahihirap na magiging ganun katulad sa amin. Wala nang ibang inang makakaranas na ang hirap pala mawalan ng anak.”

She wants answers not only to understand what happened to Bobet, but also to help prevent another family from experiencing the same kind of loss.

She also questioned whether another tragedy has to happen before action is taken. “Paabutin pa ba natin na mayroon pang mangyari sa iba? Samantalang nandito na tayo na mayroon ng ebidensya na namatay iyong dalawang player.”

The tragedy has also taken a toll on Bobet’s siblings and the rest of their family. “Lahat kami may trauma pa hanggang ngayon.

Bakit sa dami-dami daw ng player, bakit kapatid pa daw nila iyong nawala? Ang bait pa naman, walang kaaway, may respeto sa kapwa, bakit kapatid pa nila iyong nawala?”

Toni then asked her if those questions had already been answered, Rovelyn said, “Hindi pa po.”