Lawmaker seeks congressional inquiry into deaths of two Ateneo basketball players

A lawmaker has called for a congressional inquiry into the deaths of two Ateneo basketball players who drowned during a team-building activity in Aurora Province.

In a resolution filed on Wednesday, Pinoy Workers party-list Rep. Karl Legazpi urged the House of Representatives to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths of 19-year-old Rene Clert Baterbonia and 21-year-old Divine Adili, particularly whether adequate safety measures, supervision, emergency response procedures, and risk management protocols were in place during the school-sponsored activity.

“Educational institutions, athletic organizations, coaches, trainers, and other persons entrusted with the supervision of student-athletes bear the responsibility of ensuring that training activities are conducted in a safe and responsible manner,” the Resolution read.

Earlier, Police Colonel Percival Pineda, acting provincial director of the Aurora Police Provincial Office, said Baterbonia and Adili were participating in exercises with teammates and coaches in waist-deep water when powerful waves suddenly swept through the area.

According to Pineda, the strong waves overwhelmed the players, resulting in their drowning.

The Philippine National Police in Aurora described the incident as an accident.

"So base po sa ating nakuhang salaysay sa mga kasama niya, ito pong insidente na ito ay talaga pong purely accident. Natural accident po 'yung pangyayari. Hindi po talaga inaasahan," said Pineda.

Baterbonia’s mother, however, raised questions about the circumstances surrounding her son’s death, particularly reports that he had weights attached to his hands and feet while in the water. She also pointed to bruises found on parts of his body and said she suspected foul play.

“Ang dami nila dun tapos walang nag-rescue. ‘Yung anak ko, ba’t nila pinapalangoy nang may 20 kilos na bigat?” Rovelyn Baterbonia asked.

The proposed House inquiry aims to determine whether current rules and safeguards adequately protect student-athletes participating in athletic camps, team-building activities, outdoor exercises, and other potentially hazardous programs.

“The incident highlights the need to examine whether existing laws, regulations, institutional policies, and industry practices provide sufficient safeguards for student-athletes participating in athletic camps, team-building exercises, outdoor activities, and other programs that may expose participants to elevated risks,” the Resolution said.

“Now, therefore, be it resolved as it is hereby resolved, that the House Committee on Youth and Sports Development conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, on the adequacy of existing policies, safety standards, and accountability mechanisms governing school-sponsored athletic programs, with the end in view of strengthening the protection and welfare of student athletes,” the Resolution added.

Adili was in his second season with the Ateneo Blue Eagles, while Baterbonia, a former Palarong Pambansa Most Valuable Player from Ateneo de Davao, was a rookie who had yet to make his debut in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines.

-Paraluman News