The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) will file complaints related to 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 said on Wednesday, June 24, 2026.
Investigation Nearly Complete
In an interview with reporters at Camp Crame, Remulla said the CIDG investigation is almost complete, with the filing of criminal complaints expected by Friday, June 26. “Our investigation is almost complete. It is already fairly conclusive. On Friday, we will submit it to the DOJ for filing of charges. Just wait until Friday for our final assessment, and we will explain to you what we discovered,” he said.
Remulla added that the investigation has been ongoing for the last two weeks, with nearly a hundred people interviewed. “There are probably around 1,200 pages of testimonies from those who were there, and we are almost complete. The findings are already conclusive, and the CIDG is very confident in the case buildup. You will see that for yourselves,” he said.
Interviews with Key Officials
The CIDG has interviewed current and former Ateneo players, coaches, and training staff who participated in or were involved in what investigators described as a “boot camp” where the tragedy occurred on June 8. Remulla said Ateneo de Manila University President Fr. Roberto “Bobby” Yap, Vice President for Administration Fr. Nemesio Que, and business tycoon Manny Pangilinan, chairman and trustee of the MVP Sports Foundation, are also expected to face the CIDG for interview before the submission of the report to the DOJ.
Possible Homicide or Hazing Charges
Earlier, CIDG Director Major General Robert Alexander Morico II said the death of the two neophyte players of the Ateneo Blue Eagles was not an accident, and their investigation is leading to possible homicide or hazing cases. He pointed out that the organizers of the activity were well aware of the sea conditions in the area, which are not suitable especially for non-swimmers. Morico also noted that the training was conducted away from prying eyes when it could only be done in front of the hotel where the players were staying.
Role of MVP Sports Foundation
Morico said the Ateneo Blue Eagles’ program planning and funding were being handled by the MVP Sports Foundation, which was vehemently denied by the foundation, stating that their role is limited to financial support.
Crime Scene Reconstruction
On June 23, the CIDG, together with the Forensic Group, Aurora Police Provincial Office, Police Regional Office 3, and Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, conducted a Crime Scene Reconstruction in connection with the drowning incident. The key objective was to determine the exact seawater situation at the time of the incident, calculate the distance between dry beach surfaces and the water line to assess high tide conditions, establish where the victims were situated and last seen by cross-referencing CCTV footage with testimonies, and measure how far out the victims were and the exact depth of the water at that point.
The investigating team deployed Sonar to map underwater topography and depth, and a 3D scanner to capture highly accurate spatial data of the shoreline and scene. Additionally, investigators conducted a thorough safety audit to validate the presence of warning signage and required emergency safety measures along the beachfront area.
