CIDG recommends charges against Tab Baldwin and 10 others
The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) has recommended that the Department of Justice (DOJ) conduct an evaluation, case build-up, and preliminary investigation against 11 individuals, including resigned Ateneo de Manila University men's basketball head coach Tab Baldwin, in connection with the drowning deaths of student-athletes Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili during a team building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora.
Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla announced the recommendation in a press conference on Friday, June 26, 2026. The CIDG submitted its findings to the DOJ, citing alleged violations of Republic Act 11053, or the Anti-Hazing Act.
List of respondents includes coaches, staff, and student managers
Aside from Baldwin, the CIDG recommended charges against the following individuals who participated in the Aurora training: Strength and Conditioning Coach Grant Dearns, Assistant Coach Ceasar Vincent Javellana Elumba, Assistant Coach Dean Caesar B. Castaño, Sandro Nicholas Romero Soriano, Reynaldo C. Jacinto Jr., Student Manager Paolo Manuel Maceda Adevoso, Andrew Lorenzo Bondoc Salud, Physical Therapist John Eric Quiambao Rueca, Utility / Ball Boy Aris Ramos Pronce, and Joel Palmiano Rapa.
Training involved water activities despite known non-swimmers
Remulla stated that based on the CIDG's investigation, 20 student-athletes, including new recruits Baterbonia and Adili, were subjected to training that included water activities designed to measure physical and mental toughness. The training was part of a process to select 17 out of 20 players for the final UAAP roster.
According to Remulla, Baldwin asked the players who among them could not swim, and five admitted they were non-swimmers, including Adili. Despite this knowledge, Baldwin proceeded with the sea water training and gave instructions on how to handle rip currents. "So he already knew that they could not swim, yet he still instructed them on how to deal with rip currents. That showed us that he was fully aware of what could possibly happen. The problem is, how can you teach someone who cannot swim how to handle a rip current?" Remulla said.
CIDG found Baldwin aware of risks from past incidents
The CIDG probe also revealed that Baldwin intentionally scheduled the training from June 7 to 12 to coincide with low tide, indicating awareness of tidal conditions. Remulla noted that Baldwin denied similar past incidents, but two former Ateneo basketball team members testified about their personal near-drowning experiences during training in the same area in 2016 and 2017. "For him to say that nothing similar had happened before, yet he himself rescued one of his players in 2017, shows that he was fully aware of what could possibly happen in Dipaculao," Remulla said.
Elements of hazing under the Anti-Hazing Act
Remulla outlined the elements of hazing under the revised Anti-Hazing law: physical or psychological suffering inflicted on a recruit as a prerequisite for admission or continuing membership; activities including paddling, whipping, beating, forced calisthenics, exposure to weather, forced consumption of substances, or any brutal treatment likely to adversely affect health; or requiring recruits to perform menial tasks. He argued that the training involved forced calisthenics and exposure to weather, leading to the drownings. "They were not physically harmed, but they were brought to a dangerous place where all of this happened," he added.
University management not aware, but civil liabilities possible
Remulla said that while the CIDG investigation indicates Ateneo University management was not aware of the dangerous activities, the DOJ may still identify their civil liabilities. He added that Baldwin assured he would not leave the country and would face possible charges. "We will recommend the hold departure order, but I told him from the start that I recommend you do not try to leave the country, and he said 'I do not plan on going anywhere.' He will stay, that's what he said," Remulla stated.
