The Commission on Higher Education ordered Ateneo de Manila University to submit a formal explanation regarding the drowning of two basketball players, and the agency demanded full institutional compliance within ten days. A show cause order was issued on June 16 after allegations were made that the administration refused to turn over critical informations regarding the tragic offseason incident.
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The regulatory directive follows the June 8 deaths of Rene Clert Baterbonia and Divine Adili, who both drowned during a school-sanctioned team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora. The commission stated it had reached out to the university a day after the tragedy to secure an incident report, a certificate of compliance with off-campus activity rules and documents required under its anti-hazing policy.
Despite repeated follow-ups by the regional office, the necessary records were not produced by the school.
Chairperson Shirley Agrupis shared the public statement on Tuesday night, June 23. The chairperson emphasized that higher education institutions are expected to cooperate fully with regulatory processes, e.g., investigations involving student safety and welfare.
"CHED cannot allow matters involving the loss of student lives and questions of institutional accountability to remain unaddressed," Agrupis said.
If the administration fails to provide a written explanation under oath, severe penalties would be imposed by the agency. The failure to exercise reasonable supervision over students under the principle of in loco parentis could result to immediate administrative sanctions.
During a press conference on June 15, President Roberto Yap denied that the school was evading accountability, and he pledged full cooperation with investigators. An Ateneo crisis management team had reportedly submitted an initial report describing the training camp, which involved twenty-four student-athletes and seven adult supervisors.
During the camp, Baterbonia and Adili were swept 300m to 700m into deeper waters by a sudden succession of powerful waves.
As the academic community struggles to cope up with the loss, several athletic supervisors faced immediate repercussions. Former coach Thomas Anthony Baldwin and team manager Epok Quimpo resigned on June 15. Baldwin is now under an immigration lookout bulletin order, while the UAAP has barred him and other coaching staff present at the activity.
Memorial arrangements were concluded from June 22 to June 24. Adili's remains were repatriated to Nigeria on Monday, while Baterbonia was laid to rest on Wednesday in his hometown of Talacogon, Agusan del Sur.
