The Aurora Provincial Police Office has ruled out foul play in the tragic deaths of Ateneo Blue Eagles basketball players Divine Adili and Rene Clert Baterbonia, concluding that the incident was a tragic accident.
On Tuesday, acting provincial director Police Colonel Percival Pineda stated that initial investigation results indicate the double drowning occurred naturally during a team-building event.
Witness statements collected by authorities consistently supported the conclusion that the event was unintentional.
“Natural accident po talaga ang nangyari, at sa ngayon, wala po tayong nakikitang foul play,” Pineda explained.
According to police reports, the Ateneo men’s basketball team was conducting an activity along the shoreline of a local resort at around 2:40 p.m. Investigators noted that the players were wading through what appeared to be shallow water before unexpectedly stepping into a much deeper section.
Pineda noted that a powerful current likely dragged some of the athletes further out, resulting in the drownings.
Although teammates, resort staff, and an on-duty lifeguard immediately launched a rescue effort, they were unable to save Adili and Baterbonia.
While the investigation remains ongoing, Pineda urged the public to refrain from spreading unverified rumors or speculation out of respect for the Ateneo community and the victims’ families.
However, he noted that authorities remain vigilant regarding overall security.
“Hindi tayo pwedeng maging kampante dahil kung may intelligence information dapat seryosohin. At lahat ng banta dapat seryosohin kaya nag-aadjust rin kami,” he said.