CIDG: Deaths of Ateneo cagers not an accident

MANILA, Philippines —   Resigned Ateneo de Manila University men’s basketball coach Tab Baldwin should man up, the chief investigator of the Philippine National Police said yesterday as the PNP probe showed that the deaths of two ADMU Blue Eagles players during a training camp in Dipaculao, Aurora were not an accident.

Maj. Gen. Robert Alexander Morico II, director of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), said Baldwin should stop ignoring police summons and instead cooperate in the probe.

The Department of Justice has issued immigration lookout bulletin orders for Baldwin, former team manager Christopher Quimpo and assistant coaches Reynaldo Jacinto Jr., Dean Castaño and Sandro Soriano.

Incoming rookie Rene Clert Baterbonia and Nigerian import Chukwuemeka Divine Adili drowned on June 8 in Aurora.

“Be man enough to face the investigation in the interest of justice for the two players whom you call as your brother,” Morico said at a news briefing at Camp Crame.

If Baldwin takes to heart the Ateneo team’s battle cry BEBOB or Blue Eagles Band of Brothers, Morico said the coach should face his responsibility.

Morico said evidence and testimonies obtained so far by investigators showed that the drowning incident on a beach in Dipaculao was not an accident.

Baldwin has ignored the CIDG’s subpoena. Should he comply with the summons, he has been ordered to bring footage of the drowning incident, which the coach documented with his drone.

Police said the Ateneo cagers conducted their training exercise about 700 meters away from the resort.

The probe also showed that “the sea was dangerous and the weather condition at the time was not suitable for non-swimmers,” Morico said.

Baldwin may face a complaint for indirect contempt under Republic Act 10973.

Seven Ateneo basketball players appeared at the CIDG yesterday.

Pelagio Lawrence Cuison, lawyer for Jacinto, disputed Morico’s earlier pronouncement that there was an element of hazing in the deaths of Baterbonia and Adili.

“There was no torture. Homicide? No, it’s an accident,” Cuison said in an interview on GMA News.

The CIDG has summoned at least 48 people, including Ateneo officials, members of the coaching staff, players and responders from the Dipaculao municipal government.

Morico said they would ask the responders about their actions after reports surfaced that Adili still had a pulse when he was brought to the shore.

Baldwin to face NBI

Baldwin will appear at the National Bureau of Investigation tomorrow, according to NBI Director Melvin Matibag.

Matibag said more personalities are expected to attend the NBI probe to shed light on the drowning incident.

Eleven current and former Ateneo basketball players went to the NBI office in Pasay yesterday to execute their affidavits.

Among them were rookie Kieffer Alas and junior Sam Reyes. –  EJ Macababbad, Evelyn Macairan