CIDG recommends hazing raps vs Baldwin, 10 others

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) is evaluating a police recommendation to file criminal charges – including violations of the Anti-Hazing Act and potential homicide – against former Ateneo Blue Eagles head coach Tab Baldwin and 10 other team personnel over the drowning of two student-athletes.

In a statement yesterday, the DOJ confirmed its receipt of the formal referral from the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG).

“At this stage, the referral will undergo initial evaluation by the DOJ to determine whether the evidence submitted is complete and sufficient for further proceedings,” it said.

The DOJ said the CIDG is pushing for the indictment of the respondents under Republic Act 11053 or the Anti-Hazing Act, alongside “such other offenses as the evidence and applicable law may warrant, which may include homicide and/or reckless imprudence resulting in homicide.”

If the evidence is deemed sufficient, the matter will be docketed for a preliminary investigation; if found incomplete, it will be returned to the CIDG for further case build-up.

“Until such evaluation is completed, the DOJ cannot yet disclose further details regarding the referral,” the DOJ said.

Apart from Baldwin, the other respondents include strength and conditioning coaches Grant Dearns and Ceasar Vincent Elumba, assistant coaches Dean Caesar Castaño, Sandro Nicholas Soriano and Reynaldo Jacinto Jr., student managers Paolo Manuel Adevoso and Andrew Lorenzo Salud, physical therapist John Eric Rueca and ball boys Aris Pronce and Joel Rapa.

If found guilty, Baldwin and the others face a penalty of up to 40 years imprisonment and P3 million each in fines.

The charges stem from the June 8 deaths of Ateneo players Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili, who drowned during a team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora.

The DOJ assured the public that the case will be handled expeditiously and objectively, keeping further details confidential until the initial evaluation is completed.

Strong evidence

For his part, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said there is strong evidence that would hold Baldwin and other members of his coaching staff accountable for the deaths of Baterbonia and Adili.

“They were not hurt, but they were brought to a dangerous area where all of this happened,” Remulla told a news briefing in Quezon City.

The results of the investigation points to Baldwin as the brains of the team-building activity meant to test the mental condition and toughness of candidates for a slot in Ateneo men’s basketball team.

Remulla explained that hazing is not just about subjecting victims to torture such as initiation rites by fraternities, but any act that results in physical or psychological harm that is inflicted on a recruit.

Philippine National Police chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. echoed Remulla’s statement, stressing that Baldwin and the others violated provisions of the Anti-Hazing Law by placing their athletes in harm’s way.

During the three-week probe, CIDG investigators interviewed 60 personalities, resulting in 620 pages of testimonies.

NBI probe

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is expected to complete its investigation into the drowning deaths of Baterbonia and Adili after gathering statements from key witnesses, including Ateneo de Manila University president Fr. Roberto Yap.

NBI Director Melvin Matibag said on Friday the bureau would also review the findings and recommendations of the PNP-CIDG, which earlier concluded that the team-building activity may have constituted hazing.

“We learned that the CIDG has already issued its recommendations. We will review their findings and investigation, and we have agreed to share information,” Matibag said over GMA News.

Matibag said Yap appeared before the NBI on Friday to answer investigators’ questions and submit his statement. He added that the bureau is close to concluding its own fact-finding investigation.

“We believe we already have sufficient information to arrive at our own conclusions and recommendations,” Matibag said.

Yap appeared before the NBI Homicide Division to submit his sworn statement and documents as part of the agency’s probe.

After giving his statement, Yap said the university would continue to apologize to and support the families of the two victims.

“We have condoled with them, we have apologized. We’ll continue to condole with them, we’ll continue to apologize,” Yap said. “We have offered and have given support and assistance to them and will continue to do so over several years.”

Yap said he personally met with the families of Baterbonia and Adili following the tragedy.

Cooperate

The Ateneo de Manila University on Friday said it would continue to cooperate fully as authorities wrap up their probe on the deaths of Baterbonia and Adili.

In a statement, Ateneo spokesman Fr. RB Hizon SJ said that Ateneo acknowledged the CIDG’s recommendation and respects the work it has done in the course of its investigation.

“We also recognize that other investigations remain ongoing, and we will continue to cooperate fully with all competent authorities as they complete their respective inquiries, while the CIDG’s recommendation will now be reviewed by the Department of Justice, as provided under the law. We are confident that the facts will be fully and fairly evaluated through the proper process,” Hizon said.

“Throughout this process, Ateneo remains steadfast in its commitment to accountability, student welfare and the highest standards of safety and institutional responsibility,” Hizon said.

He added that Ateneo will continue to support the families of those involved, care for its students and community and strengthen the reforms already underway to help ensure that such tragedy is never repeated. — Emmanuel Tupas, Bella Cariaso, Mark Ernest Villeza