The bishop of the Diocese of Prosperidad has joined the family of Ateneo de Manila University basketball rookie Rene Clert “Bobet” Baterbonia in seeking answers about the circumstances surrounding the young athlete’s death during a team-building activity earlier this month.
Baterbonia, 18, was laid to rest Wednesday in his hometown of Talacogon, Agusan del Sur, where family members, friends, supporters, and members of the community gathered to pay their final respects.
During the funeral Mass held at the Talacogon Municipal Gymnasium, Ruben Labajo called for prayers and continued efforts to uncover the truth behind the tragedy.
“Let us pray that the truth will finally prevail and be known to everyone. Let us continue to ask and seek the truth together with prayer,” Labajo said in his homily.
The bishop also urged grieving loved ones to seek comfort from faith amid the loss.
“No one else can comfort us but God. Nothing can be resolved because of our anger and resentment,” he said.
Labajo described Baterbonia as a young man whose influence extended beyond basketball, saying the student-athlete left an enduring impact on those around him.
“Bobet has become an inspiration not only to his family, but also to many young people… it was about the lives he touched,” he said.
Baterbonia and teammate Divine Adili died from drowning during a team-building activity at a resort in Dipaculao earlier this month.
Their deaths have prompted separate investigations by various government agencies amid questions and public speculation surrounding the incident.
Authorities have yet to release the results of the ongoing inquiries as officials continue gathering information on the circumstances that led to the deaths of the two Ateneo players.
Photo courtesy of Mindanao Gold Star Daily
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