DEPARTMENT of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Monday announced that the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) has begun issuing subpoenas to the top management of the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) men’s basketball team as part of its ongoing fact-finding investigation into the deaths of student-athletes Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili.
Speaking to reporters outside the CIDG headquarters at Camp Crame, Remulla disclosed that out of five officials summoned for the investigation, only University Athletics Office Director Emmanuel Fernandez and a lawyer personally appeared before the CIDG. Among those who did not appear were Coach Tab Baldwin and team manager Epok Quimbo.
“Today, we issued subpoenas to the top management of the Ateneo basketball team, headed by Coach Tab Baldwin,” Remulla said.
The DILG chief emphasized that the CIDG’s investigation is focused solely on establishing the facts surrounding the incident, stressing that no charges have been filed and no conclusions have been drawn at this stage.
“We are not here to arrest, we are not here to charge, but merely to gather the facts. Kukunin lang talaga kung ano ang nangyari, kung sino ang nag-authorize, kung paano sila pumunta, kung sino ang nag-order. Lahat ‘yun kukunin namin,” he emphasized.
Remulla said investigators are working to obtain a complete and accurate account of the events leading to the drowning incident in Dipaculao, Aurora on June 8, 2026. He added that other members of the team will also be invited for questioning as part of the ongoing investigation.
“It is a fact-finding mission, hindi siya fault-finding. We will give the results later in due time, once we investigate everyone, including the players,” he added.
The DILG Secretary also announced that a second round of subpoenas will be issued on Friday to clarify remaining questions in the investigation.
“Mag-iissue kami ng pangalawang subpoena on Friday para ma-clarify talaga namin lahat. As of now, again, it is a fact-finding mission. A second absence will warrant a contempt of court.”
Republic Act No. 10973 grants the Chief of the Philippine National Police, as well as the CIDG Director and Deputy Director, the authority to issue subpoenas during investigations. The law provides that “failure to comply with subpoena and subpoena duces tecum shall authorize the filing of a case for indirect contempt under the Rules of Court with the Regional Trial Court.”
Earlier, the PNP reaffirmed its commitment to conducting a thorough and transparent investigation to ensure justice for the families of the two student-athletes.
“We are committed to ensuring full cooperation among all investigative bodies to arrive at a comprehensive and truthful account of what transpired, and to deliver justice for the families of the late student-athletes Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili,” PNP Public Information Office OIC PCol. Allen Rae Co said.
About the Author
