UAAP bars Ateneo coaching staff present in Aurora when Baterbonia, Adili died

MANILA, Philippines – The UAAP on Friday, June 19, announced that it has barred from the league the Ateneo coaching staff who were present during the Blue Eagles’ team building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora, that claimed the lives of players Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili while investigations are ongoing.

Coaches who were in Aurora during the June 8 incident include now-resigned head coach Tab Baldwin and assistant coaches Dean Castaño, Jon Jacinto, and Sandro Soriano. 

They are prohibited from taking part in “any UAAP-related activities, in any capacity, effective immediately.” 

Other assistant coaches — Louie Alas, RJ Jazul, Alton Lister, and Nico Salva — did not make the trip to Aurora.

“This preemptive measure, adopted even prior to the UAAP season, is intended to preserve the integrity of the ongoing inquiry and to ensure full transparency and due process as facts surrounding the incident are being carefully examined,” the league said in a statement. 

No sanctions have been handed down by the UAAP in relation to the deaths of Baterbonia and Adili, with executive director Rebo Saguisag saying last June 10 that the league will “go where the evidence leads.”

The National Bureau of Investigation and the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group have launched separate probes into the incident.

Ateneo, meanwhile, has opened an independent fact-finding inquiry.

The UAAP said it is giving Ateneo until July 15 to submit its official findings regarding the incident. 

“Amidst differing and clashing perceptions on this tragic incident, the UAAP, as a collegial body, is committed to adhere to its own governing rules and processes, where the acts of a member-university and personalities involved will be thoroughly evaluated by the other member schools before passing judgment,” said the league. 

“The UAAP reiterates that accountability shall be determined based on the results of a thorough and impartial investigation and its fidelity to its own rules and regulations. All those found responsible for any wrongdoing shall be held fully accountable under league regulations.” – Rappler.com