Journalist and television host Gretchen Ho has expressed profound grief over the tragic deaths of two Ateneo de Manila University basketball players during a recent team-building trip in Dipaculao, Aurora. While offering her condolences, the former Lady Eagle also urged for complete transparency as multiple agencies look into the incident.
As a former Ateneo student-athlete herself, Ho shared that the tragedy felt deeply personal, extending her sympathies to the grieving families and the university community.
“As a former student-athlete of Ateneo, this tragedy hits very close to home. It is deeply painful,” Ho said.
While recognizing the immense sorrow surrounding the community, Ho emphasized the necessity of a thorough and credible inquiry into the circumstances that led to the fatalities.
She voiced her support for the ongoing investigation being handled by a multi-sectoral body. The panel, organized by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), includes representatives from the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and the National Youth Commission (NYC).
“There are legitimate questions about what happened, and I trust that the multi-stakeholder body formed by the PSC, together with representatives from the UAAP, SBP, CHED, and NYC, will establish the facts and present them to the public at the appropriate time,” she stated.
Furthermore, Ho pointed out that open communication is vital to halt the spread of rumors and false narratives while the community processes the loss.
“Understandably, people are still in a state of shock, and we should allow them this space to grieve and find their footing. However, silence will only allow speculation and false narratives to thrive,” she added.
Concluding her statement, Ho expressed her enduring faith in her alma mater’s leadership to navigate the crisis with integrity.
“We trust that the institution we call home will do the right thing.”
The tragedy has triggered widespread mourning across the collegiate sports sector, alongside growing demands for stricter safety protocols and accountability during off-campus school activities.
Separate investigations by sports governing bodies and local authorities are currently underway to pinpoint any safety lapses and establish guidelines to prevent future tragedies.