Investigators looking into the tragic drowning of two Ateneo de Manila University basketball players in Aurora have revealed that the team’s operations and funding are run independently by a foundation tied to Smart Communications, an organization led by tycoon Manny V. Pangilinan.
Maj. Gen. Robert Morico II, director of the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), announced on Monday that officials from Smart Communications will be subpoenaed to assist in the investigation into the deaths of players Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili.
Morico explained that data from the university’s athletics office shows the basketball program operates outside the school’s direct administrative oversight.
“We learned from the university athletics office that the Ateneo basketball team is allegedly autonomous and independently run by a foundation,” Morico stated.
The CIDG chief further detailed how the foundation manages the sports program’s resources and scheduling.
“The program planning and funding are being handled by the foundation, which is connected to Smart Communications,” he added.
Alongside the telecommunications executives, Ateneo de Manila University president Fr. Roberto Yap is also expected to receive a subpoena. The CIDG seeks to clarify the exact nature of the team’s trip to Dipaculao, Aurora, to establish proper accountability for the tragedy.
Following the incident, Fr. Yap confirmed that team manager Epok Quimpo has resigned from his post. Quimpo concurrently serves as the Sports Marketing Manager at Smart Communications.
The investigation has cast a spotlight on the deep integration of the MVP Group of Companies within Ateneo’s sports programs. Several high-ranking figures, including PLDT Head of Sports Jude Turcuato and Meralco Bolts general manager Paolo Trillo, are prominent Ateneo alumni with strong ties to both the university and the MVP corporate umbrella.
While the CIDG proceeds with its criminal inquiry, Ateneo de Manila University has launched its own internal, independent fact-finding mission to investigate the circumstances of the fatal event.