DOJ names Baldwin, eight other respondents in probe on Ateneo players' deaths

MANILA – The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Thursday said the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has filed a complaint for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide against nine individuals over the deaths of Ateneo student-athletes Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili.

Named respondents are foreign coach Thomas Anthony Baldwin, Grant Dearns, Dean Caesar B. Castaño, Sandro Nicholas Soriano Romero, Reynaldo C. Jacinto Jr., John Eric Quiambao Rueca, Ceasar Vincent Javellana Elumba, Emmanuel Toribio Fernandez and Vincent Raphael M. Mangulabnan.

In a press briefing, Justice Undersecretary Ian Dato said the prosecutors have set a preliminary investigation, with the first hearing held last Monday.

He said a separate complaint for alleged violations of Republic Act (RA) 11053, or the Anti-Hazing Act, remains under case build-up.

Under a DOJ circular, prosecutors evaluate and work with law enforcers to build up a case to ensure certainty of conviction before allowing it to reach the courts.

“(O)n Monday, the first hearing, the first preliminary investigation hearing was conducted. And the second one is on Sept. 15, which is the submission of the counter-affidavit of the respondents. So it's an ongoing preliminary investigation,” he added. (PNA)