MANILA, Philippines – Ateneo de Manila University said on Thursday, June 11, that men’s basketball head coach Tab Baldwin and team manager Epok Quimpo have “gone on leave” as the school launches its own probe into the deaths of Blue Eagles players Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili.

The move, according to the university, was done to “preserve the total integrity, independence, and fairness of this investigation” and “to ensure all participants can cooperate freely without any actual or perceived pressure.”

Ateneo’s latest findings on the drowning incident aligned with the police investigation that the players were taking part in an activity in the water when they were swept away by strong currents. The incident happened on Monday, June 8, during the Blue Eagles’ team building at a private resort in Dipaculao, Aurora.

“Based on what we have gathered from those present, on Monday, 8 June 2026, the team was engaged in a conditioning exercise in knee-deep water near the shoreline when they were suddenly engulfed by massive waves and a powerful rip current,” Ateneo president Father Roberto Yap SJ said in a statement.

“While most of the players managed to fight their way back to safety, Rene and Divine were pulled away. We state categorically, to protect the dignity of our fallen players, that no weights of any kind were used during this exercise,” Yap added.

Baterbonia’s mother, Rovelyn, on Wednesday, June 10, said in a press conference that she needs a detailed account of the events leading up the drowning of her son and Adili for her to accept that their deaths were indeed an accident.

‘Thorough fact-finding inquiry’

Hoping to get to the bottom of the incident, Ateneo’s board of trustees mandated a “thorough fact-finding inquiry.”  

“In our commitment to honor the memory of Bobet and Divine, the University must seek the absolute truth,” Yap said. 

“A loss of this magnitude demands absolute accountability, clarity, and an unyielding review of the safety and welfare of the community.” 

“This inquiry will exhaustively examine the circumstances surrounding the incident, reconstruct a transparent timeline, review all athletic protocols, and interview every individual present.” 

Baldwin, who has helmed similar team building activities in Aurora as told by the police and his former players, has yet to either publicly appear or release a statement since the deaths of Baterbonia and Adili.

His silence has prompted the Philippine Sports Commission to ask about his whereabouts and insist that he shows up.

DOLE subpoena, ILBO request

The Department of Labor and Employment said in a press statement on Thursday that it will issue a subpoena for Baldwin to personally appear before Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino on Monday, June 15, in connection with the incident.

Tolentino ordered Baldwin to present his valid Alien Employment Permit (AEP) issued by DOLE authorizing him to serve as head coach of the Ateneo de Manila University men’s basketball team.

“No foreign national working in this country is above the law regardless of their status, reputation, or the institution they represent,” Tolentino said.

Meanwhile, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said it received the request for the issuance of an Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO) against Baldwin.

“The issuance of an ILBO is not dependent on nationality. It may apply to any person who is the subject of an investigation in the Philippines, subject to compliance with the applicable rules and requirements,” said DOJ spokesperson Polo Martinez. 

With the National Bureau of Investigation also looking into the deaths of the two student-athletes, Ateneo said it is ready to assist.

“The University is cooperating fully, transparently, and without reservation with all investigations being undertaken by national authorities and competent regulatory bodies,” Ateneo said. – Rappler.com