Inter-agency panel to probe Ateneo Blue Eagles drowning incident
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Sports Commission will get into the bottom of everything with regards to the tragic drowning incident that claimed the lives of Ateneo de Manila University players Rene Clert Baterbonia and Divine Adili during a team building in Aurora.
The PSC is just one among the government agencies, sports and public service personalities, including Gov. Santiago Cane Jr. of Agusan del Sur, Baterbonia’s home province, to launch an inquiry for truth amid the cloud of uncertainties as the entire Philippine basketball community cries in mourning for answers.
In a statement Tuesday, the PSC announced the formation of a multi-stakeholders' panel with the University Athletic Association of the Philippines, Commission on Higher Education and the National Youth Commission that will look into the unexpected happening at Dipaculao beach.
It is a fact-finding body in cooperation with the Philippine National Police and the Department of Justice tasked to “establish a clear, accurate and comprehensive understanding of the events that transpired”.
The PSC will also “examine existing policies, protocols and training practices toward resolutions to strengthen safeguards in athletic training environments.”
PSC chairman Patrick Gregorio will spearhead the panel set to convene at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at the PSC Office in Manila. Also in are PSC Commissioner Fritz Gaston (basketball), Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) executive director Erika Dy, Commission on Higher Education (CHED) chairman Shirley Agrupis, University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) representatives Atty. Rebo Saguisag and Fr. Aldrin Suan, National Youth Commission (NYC) chairman Jeff Ortega, and Department of Education (DepEd) undersecretary Malcolm Garma.
“Kailangang maunawaan ng lahat ng kailangan naming gawin ang trabaho namin dito sa PSC. We are the government agency na nangangalaga sa Philippine sports, lalo na sa grassroots at amateur sports,” said Gregorio, reiterating that it’s not an official investigation task force.
“This is a panel to pursue this very difficult and painful process para malaman po natin kung paano po tayo makakapag-tulungan at para hindi na po ito maulit.”
The PSC will also invite resource persons and will present the official police report from Aurora assured by Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla.
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