UNIVERSITY UPDATE: In a post today, June 18, the Ateneo Seniors' Alliance (ASA) called on the graduating Class of 2026 to wear black bands on their right wrists during Commencement Rites, in solidarity with Chukwuemeka Divine Adili and Rene Clert Baterbonia's families and teammates.
The initiative comes amid ongoing calls for transparency, justice, and accountability from the University following the deaths of Adili and Baterbonia, as well as the Ateneo community’s "anger, loss, and pain that is unlikely to disappear" during the graduation day.
Members of the ASA will distribute the black ribbons before the Higher Education-wide Commencement Rites on June 19.
Read the post here: https://t.co/2npKqHHW1j
More than 20 members of the Ateneo men’s basketball team, including players and former head coach Tab Baldwin, are set to face NBI investigators on June 16 as the agency probes the drowning of student-athletes Rene Baterbonia & Divine Adili during a team training in Aurora. | via @ZyannAmbrosio
UAAP COMMITS TO TRUTH, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND JUSTICE IN AURORA INCIDENT
As the UAAP continues to mourn the untimely passing of Ateneo de Manila University student-athletes Rene Clert Baterbonia and Divine Adili on June 8, 2026 in Dipaculao, Aurora, the League continues to extend its heartfelt condolences to their families, loved ones, teammates, coaches, and the entire Ateneo community. We stand in solidarity with all those grieving this profound loss and join them in honoring the memory of two young lives taken too soon.
As previously stated, the UAAP will fully take into account the findings of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and the concerned member school, as only limited details have been officially confirmed.
The UAAP, however, is closely following all the developments surrounding this tragic incident and carefully reviewing the findings of the ongoing investigations as they come. When completed, all the relevant information will be referred for a full and fair review to the Rules and Disciplinary Committee, composed of representatives from the seven other member schools
The safety, well-being, and holistic development of student-athletes are at the heart of the UAAP’s inherent mission. As a community of educational institutions, we are committed to learning from this tragedy and we will work together to strengthen safeguards that protect our student-athletes both on and off the field of play.
Rest assured that the UAAP will:
• Enforce sanctions in cases where there are breaches of established protocols, laws and regulations provided these sanctions are established through due process and in accordance with governance and disciplinary procedures.
• Review and, if needed, revise existing rules and policies to further strengthen accountability, enhance student welfare, and uphold the highest standards of safety.
• Promote and expand access to protective measures, mental health resources, and support services for student-athletes, coaches, and staff, while sustaining programs that foster camaraderie and communal well-being.
This difficult moment has reminded us that the care and protection of our student athletes are paramount. Together, we remain committed to fostering a sporting environment grounded in safety, respect, accountability and genuine concern for the well-being of every member of the UAAP community.
The mother of the Nigerian Ateneo student athlete Divine Adili is still demanding answers from the Philippine authorities and the Ateneo de Manila University on what happened to his son, three days after the tragic drowning incident.
“It’s not easy for us, he’s the only hope of this family. He’s our only hope, he’s too hardworking, he loves his family,” an emotional Ifeoma Adili told ABS-CBN News. | via @AllisonCoABSCBN
Nanggaling sa tatlong law firm ang unang batch ng private prosecutors na tutulong sa House prosecution panel sa impeachment trial ni Vice President Sara Duterte. #VPSaraOnTrial
Buong ulat: https://t.co/chY9kFWwbF
For an institution where Ateneans learned empathy, accountability, and command responsibility, we’re seeing none of it from management and the coaching staff right now.
Two young men died under your care. The school has only released online posts.
Show your faces. Man up.
READ: Over 163 Ateneo faculty members called on the Ateneo administration to be more transparent and accountable following the deaths of student-athletes Rene Clert Baterbonia and Divine Adili.
In the statement released today, June 11, the educators questioned whether University regulations and due process were followed in the “team-building activity,” and they also sought clarification on whether parents and guardians had been informed, and what safety measures were in place.
Moreover, they asked whether Head Coach Tab Baldwin and Team Manager Christopher Quimpo’s “leave” are equivalent to a preventive suspension, which they say is “standard operating procedure” in these cases.
The faculty also pressed the administration to explain how it intends to conduct a “independent and impartial investigation” and what measures will be implemented to prevent similar incidents in the future.
MAY WARNING. Nagkalat ang mga signages na ito kung saan nag-training umano ang Ateneo Basketball Team.
Signages saying - unprotected beach, no lifeguards, presence of rip currents. And yet, @jessiecruzat reported the Ateneo Basketball Team trained in this area.
WHY?! Ano ang pananagutan kung meron man ng eskuwelahan at ng mga school authorities or coaches?
THE TRUTH. The parents of the 2 dead basketball players deserve no less.
If this was school sanctioned, was there neglect or carelessnesswith school authorities? Why was the training held there? Who was there? Were all precautions taken to protect students? Could this have been avoided?
Police must interview all personalities individually and protect their testimonies.
Ateneo, you are held in high esteem. Protect no one. Pursue truth & justice as is your motto, “Light in the Lord."
My most profound sympathy to the families of Rene and Divine; my thoughts and prayers are with them. I join the Ateneo community in grief over their loss.
Rene and Divine were young men of promise whose presence made the world brighter. That light has gone too soon; our hearts are heavy with regret and sorrow.
Their memory will be carried forward by those who knew them; they will have our eternal respect and love.
Members of the Ateneo de Manila University men’s basketball team have undergone psychological processing and counseling sessions as they cope with the tragic passing of players Divine Adili and Rene Baterbonia.
READ: https://t.co/1khUAQGT4T
Nakaburol na ang labi ng student athlete na si Rene Clert Baterbonia sa Arlington Memorial Chapels and Crematory sa Quezon City ngayong Miyerkules ng umaga, Hunyo 10.
Tanging mga kaanak at malalapit na kaibigan muna ang papahintulutang dumalaw alinsunod sa hiling na privacy ng pamilya para taimtim na makapagdalamhati. | via @ChrisSitson
BASAHIN: https://t.co/MzkJwManBq
The DOJ says the NBI Central Office has been instructed to create a task force to conduct a thorough, comprehensive, and impartial investigation on the death of Ateneo basketball players Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili. | via @adrianayalin
The death toll from the Mindanao earthquake has jumped to 45, as more people are also reported missing as of Wednesday morning, June 10.
READ: https://t.co/bFjzoB0leY
Ateneo de Manila University announced on Monday the passing of two members of its men’s basketball team, Divine Adili and Rene Clert Baterbonia.
Read: https://t.co/Ub2hLFARQp