The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has endorsed to the Department of Justice (DOJ) its findings on the deaths of two Ateneo de Manila University basketball players during a team-building activity in Aurora.
Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida said Monday that the NBI report will be consolidated with an earlier referral submitted by the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) before the DOJ decides on the next steps in the case.
“Now we are consolidating it and soon we will be coming up with a decision on how to proceed in this case,” Vida told reporters.
The NBI Homicide Division completed its investigation into the June 8 incident in Dipaculao, Aurora, where Ateneo men’s basketball players Rene Clert Baterbonia, 18, and Divine Adili, 21, drowned during a team activity.
Based on its findings, the NBI recommended the filing of charges for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide against former Ateneo men’s basketball head coach Thomas Anthony “Tab” Baldwin, six assistant coaches, and the team’s physical therapist.
Those included in the recommendation were Baldwin; strength and conditioning coaches Ceasar Vincent Elumba and Grant Dearns; assistant coaches Reynaldo Jacinto Jr., Dean Caesar Castaño, Sandro Nicholas Romero, and Hernan Ameer Domingo; and physical therapist John Eric Ruecay Quiambao.
The NBI also recommended the filing of simple negligence resulting in homicide charges against three resort owners and an athletic director linked to the activity.
The NBI’s referral will be reviewed alongside the earlier complaint filed by the PNP-CIDG, which included allegations of violation of the Anti-Hazing Law and homicide charges against Baldwin and 11 others.
The DOJ is expected to determine whether there is sufficient basis to pursue criminal charges against those named in the separate referrals.
Photo from Philippine Star
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