Details surrounding the alleged "team building" activity of Ateneo de Manila University basketball players in Aurora on June 8 are slowly coming to light.

According to the Philippine National Police - Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, 22 players and 7 coaching staff of the Blue Eagles left Manila on the morning of June 7 aboard a bus bound for a resort in Aurora province.

CIDG Director PMGEN. Robert Alexander Morico II identified the two players at the center of the investigation as Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili, both juniors.

["Rene and Divine, who are both juniors, were at the very back seat of the bus — so it is a Genesis bus which was provided by the university athletics office of Ateneo de Manila."]

The group arrived at Hermanos Leisure and Agri Farm at 3:40 in the afternoon of June 7 and conducted calisthenics activities throughout the day. The following afternoon, at 2:30, the players were allegedly ordered to proceed to the shoreline — approximately 300 meters away from the rented resort.

["Ganon — malayo na yung lugar, wala nang tao after nitong resort na ito. That is where the security guard, who is also the standby lifeguard, last saw them na malayo."]

Based on information gathered, the CIDG has identified the possibility that hazing occurred and that Baterbonia and Adili were the victims.

["This investigation is now turned into a possible homicide investigation or hazing investigation, which possibly involves the violation of Article 249 of the RPC or the Anti-Hazing Act of 2018. It depends po sa ongoing interview na aming kina-conduct sa mga players."]

Earlier today, only one of the five coaching staff and officers served with subpoenas by the CIDG appeared at their office. The four who failed to appear will be summoned again on Friday, June 19.

["We will issue again another subpoena. Right now, we don't know the purpose of their representation. The lawyers are not present during the incident — they do not have the personal knowledge para makapag-shed light po sila."]

Should those summoned fail to appear a second time, they may be cited for contempt and face charges of obstruction of justice.

Morico named the individuals expected to appear before the CIDG, including team manager Christopher Quimpo, head coach Thomas Anthony Baldwin, and staff members Reynaldo Jacinto and Dean Castanio.

["We will be issuing subpoenas to the team manager of Ateneo Blue Eagles, Christopher Quimpo, Thomas Anthony Baldwin head coach, Reynaldo Jacinto, Dean Castanio. I would like to elicit their appearance to shed light for the interest of justice, otherwise we will be compelled to file separate cases possibly for violation of contempt or obstruction of justice."]

The 22 players who were present in Aurora are also expected to appear before the CIDG in the coming days. Their lawyers have requested that the appearance be moved to Wednesday instead of the original schedule.

["We have talks with the lawyers of the students, and they requested that instead of tomorrow, the clients — the 22 of them — will appear on Wednesday."]

Three former Ateneo players are also expected to appear at the CIDG tomorrow as resource persons.

The foundation that oversees and funds the basketball program is likewise not exempt from the investigation. Morico disclosed that the Ateneo basketball team allegedly operates autonomously and is independently run by a foundation, with Smart Communications handling the program's planning and funding.

["We learned also from the university athletic office that the Ateneo basketball team allegedly is autonomous and independently run by a foundation. The program, planning, and funding is being handled by a foundation, which is Smart Communications."]

While Baterbonia had not yet been formally enrolled at Ateneo de Manila University, the CIDG said this does not shield the university from the investigation, particularly since the school accepted both players and allowed them to stay in its dormitory for several days.

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