TAB BALDWIN and Christopher “Epok” Quimpo have resigned as the Ateneo Men’s Basketball Team (AMBT) Head Coach and Team Manager, respectively, “effective immediately,” as investigations on the deaths of AMBT student-athletes Chukwuemeka Divine Adili and Rene Clert Baterbonia continue.
In a media briefing held in Faber Hall at the Loyola Heights campus today, June 15, University President Roberto Yap, SJ, announced that the Ateneo Board of Trustees had formed an “independent” fact-finding body composed of “highly competent legal and technical experts” tasked to examine the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
Yap was also joined by Atty. Krishna Santos and Atty. Joseph de Jesus, legal counsels of the University, alongside University Marketing and Communications Office Director Maria Teresa “Matec” Villanueva and Office of University Development and Alumni Affairs Director Raymund Benedict “RB” Hizon, SJ.
In line with the investigation, Hizon shared that the fact-finding body would need at least two weeks to produce a “thorough” and “exhaustive” account of the events. Yap added that the University will still fully cooperate with all investigations by civil and regulatory bodies.
“We apologize unreservedly to the families and the Ateneo community for the agonizing pain of this tragedy. Two young men entrusted to our care did not return home, and that fact breaks our hearts,” Yap said.
‘No complaints’ on safety
Yap said that there were “no complaints [or] warnings regarding student safety,” responding to questions on the University’s alleged prior knowledge about the risks of the incident. Despite this, he clarified that the University is not dismissing these “serious allegations.”
When asked if the activity was a “military-like program,” Yap replied that he does not have “direct information.” Instead, he explained that the AMBT has been conducting these excursions for “team building, training, and conditioning” since the tenure of former head coach Norman Black. As part of a “tradition,” he added that this is the fifth time that the team has visited Aurora.
Concerning the increasing “distortion of facts” about Ateneo’s alleged “institutional intimidation,” Yap shared that the University remains committed to provide its data to the fact-finding body to conduct a full forensic audit of all records and communications, and that it will not “allow integrity to be compromised.”
Despite this, Baldwin and three other team officials did not appear before the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) earlier today, in response to subpoenas requiring their attendance.
The PNP-CIDG said that it is considering filing homicide charges, under the Anti-Hazing Act of 2018, in connection with Adili and Baterbonia’s deaths. They also subpoenaed Yap and officials of Smart Communications, who were alleged to have planned and funded the AMBT’s programs.
‘Perceptions of inaction’
Yap acknowledged criticism over Ateneo’s public response in the days following the incident, stating that while they did not immediately explain their course of action, their commitment was “immediate and full.”
He added that Ateneo has extended assistance to the families of both student-athletes, including offers to shoulder travel, funeral, repatriation, and other related expenses, stating, however, that it is “not a legal settlement” but a “moral obligation.”
Even so, while Yap emphasized that the University is “not evading accountability” in its handling of the incident, students, faculty, and alumni have criticized the University for its lack of transparency and humanity in facing the situation.
Moving forward, Yap emphasized that Ateneo will examine its systems and rebuild structures within its athletics program to prevent similar incidents. Thus far, Yap said that this must include a “change in leadership” to preserve the integrity of the University’s sports programs and its safety protocols.
Editor’s Note: This is a developing story.
