Vice President Sara Duterte on Friday expressed her condolences to the families of Ateneo de Manila University student-athletes Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili, who tragically drowned during a team-building event in Dipaculao, Aurora, on June 7.
Speaking after Independence Day ceremonies here, Duterte openly criticized the university’s handling of the incident, characterizing its response as inadequate.
“Unang-una, nakakalungkot na ganun yung nangyari sa isang estudyante, sa isang promising na athlete natin sa bansa. Pakiramdam ko kulang na kulang iyong response ng Ateneo sa nangyari,” Duterte remarked.
She highlighted that Baterbonia was a rising talent who had previously brought honor to the Davao Region by winning a gold medal at the 2025 Palarong Pambansa.
The Vice President raised specific concerns regarding how the university communicated with the grieving families during the immediate aftermath of the tragedy.
“Dapat kasi sa mga ganyan na mga panahon ay nauuna yung pag-reach out nila sa pamilya at pagpapaintindi sa pamilya kung ano yung nangyari at ano yung mga kailangan nilang gawin… the family and the school,” she said. “Pakiramdam ko ay malaki ang pagkukulang ng paaralan sa pagbigay support sa pamilya. Lalong-lalo na hindi ito ordinaryong pangyayari. Ito ay pagkamatay ng isang estudyante.”
When asked if accountability should be pursued, Duterte, who is a lawyer, affirmed that the incident warrants legal scrutiny.
“Of course, yes. Oo. As a lawyer, actionable yung nangyari para sa ehrlich. Actionable talaga ‘yung nangyari,” she stated.
While Duterte noted she did not want to add emotional distress to the families during their period of mourning, she urged them to consider seeking justice through the courts once the funeral services are completed.
“Hindi ko na lang gatungan yung pamilya kasi alam mo, mahirap yung pinagdadaanan nila ngayon. Iniisip pa nila yung grief na pinagdadaanan nila, yung araw-araw magigising ka na wala na yung anak mo,” she explained.
“Ayoko gatungan pero dapat sila… pagkatapos ng lahat ng kanilang kailangan gawin para sa burol at pagpapalibing ng kanilang anak, ay umupo sila at mag-isip kung ano yung dapat na gawin nila para magbigyan ng hustisya ‘yung kanilang anak,” she added, advising them to consult with legal counsel. “Gawin nila… legally at mag-consulta ng abogado.”
Duterte announced her plans to personally visit the Baterbonia family once the final wake arrangements in Davao City are set. The athlete’s remains are currently in Davao for a three-day vigil before being transported to Agusan del Sur for burial.