Tab Baldwin, 4 coaches placed on immigration lookout bulletin
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice has issued an Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order against former Ateneo Blue Eagles head coach Tab Baldwin and four others as the investigation continues into the deaths of basketball players Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili.
At a press briefing on Wednesday, June 17, Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida said he signed the ILBO covering Baldwin and members of the Ateneo basketball team's coaching staff.
The others covered by the lookout bulletin are:
- Resigned team manager Christopher Quimpo
- Assistant coach Reynaldo Jacinto Jr.
- Assistant coach Dean Castaño
- Assistant coach Sandro Soriano
An ILBO does not bar a person from leaving the country, unlike a Hold Departure Order, which is issued by a court. Instead, it alerts law enforcement agencies if the person covered by the bulletin attempts to depart.
The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and Baterbonia's family had asked the DOJ to issue the lookout bulletin against Baldwin and members of the coaching staff.
Vida said the order serves as a notification system to alert border control if the individuals attempt to leave the country while the investigation is ongoing. He said it does not restrict travel or establish guilt.
"The investigation remains ongoing and the department stands ready to undertake its mandate once a complaint is formally filed," Vida said.
Baldwin on Monday tendered his resignation as head coach of the Ateneo team.
CIDG: Not an accident
Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Director Robert Morico II who leads the investigation into the deaths of two athletes under Baldwin's charge said he believes the June 8 drowning incident was "not an accident."
"Majority of them are in the waters, about 700 meters away. Ang makikita doon is the condition of the sea during that time. You won't send somebody doon on that condition," Morico said in a press conference on Wednesday.
(Majority of them were in the waters, about 700 meters away. What can be seen there is the condition of the sea at that time. You would not send somebody there in that condition.)
Baterbonia and Adili died during a team-building activity in Aurora.
On June 15, Ateneo accepted the resignations of Baldwin and Quimpo after days of silence.
The CIDG also issued subpoenas to Ateneo president Fr. Roberto Yap, SJ, and officials of Smart Communications in connection with the investigation into the management of the Ateneo basketball team.
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