MANILA, Philippines — Ateneo de Manila University on Thursday said Blue Eagles head coach Thomas Anthony “Tab” Baldwin and team manager Christopher “Epok” Quimpo are currently "on leave" as the university conducts an independent investigation into the deaths of student-athletes Rene Clert Baterbonia and Divine Adili.
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| Coach Tab Baldwin of the Ateneo Blue Eagles. UAAP Media |
In a statement, Ateneo said the arrangement is intended to protect the integrity of the inquiry ordered by its Board of Trustees following the tragic drowning incident in Aurora on June 8.
The university explained that the measure aims to "preserve the total integrity, independence, and fairness" of the investigation and ensure that all participants can cooperate freely without any actual or perceived pressure.
Baterbonia and Adili died after being swept away by strong waves and a rip current during a team-building activity involving members of the Ateneo Blue Eagles basketball team.
Ateneo said it recognizes the magnitude of the tragedy and is committed to conducting a thorough and objective review of the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
The university added that it is cooperating "fully, transparently, and without reservation" with the separate investigations being conducted by government authorities.
Based on information gathered so far, Ateneo said the team was participating in a conditioning exercise in knee-deep water near the shoreline when massive waves and a powerful rip current suddenly struck the area.
"While most of the players managed to fight their way back to safety, Rene and Divine were pulled away," the university said.
Ateneo also denied claims circulating on social media that players were carrying weights during the exercise. The school stressed that "no weights of any kind" were used during the activity.
Rescuers who recovered the victims likewise said there were no weights attached to the bodies and that no visible injuries were observed during retrieval operations.
Meanwhile, public scrutiny surrounding the incident continues to grow. Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Patrick Gregorio on Thursday urged Baldwin to "come forward," while the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) sought documents related to the veteran coach's alien employment permit.
Baldwin, a four-time UAAP champion coach with Ateneo, has yet to publicly address the incident. He was also absent when members of the team and coaching staff visited Baterbonia's wake on Wednesday.
Several agencies, including the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), the Department of Justice (DOJ), and the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG), are conducting separate investigations into the incident.
— The Summit Express
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