The camp of the family of the late Ateneo basketball player Rene Baterbonia will request the Department of Justice (DOJ) to issue an Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order against Ateneo Blue Eagles head coach Tab Baldwin.
According to the family's lawyer, Atty. Israelito Torreon, the request aims to ensure that the investigation into the deaths of the two players proceeds smoothly. The lawyer clarified that they are not directly accusing Baldwin of any responsibility at this time.
It will be recalled that Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili died after drowning in the sea of Dipaculao, Aurora last Monday while the team was conducting a team-building activity.
Meanwhile, Baterbonia's teammates from the Ateneo Blue Eagles attended his wake. Officials from the Commission on Higher Education, Department of Education, and Philippine Sports Commission also offered their condolences. Baterbonia's remains are expected to be brought home to Agusan del Sur on Thursday.
At the same time, the Department of Justice has ordered the National Bureau of Investigation to form a task force to conduct a thorough, comprehensive, and fair investigation into the incident. The investigation aims to determine if there are sufficient grounds to file any case related to the deaths of the two athletes.
In the initial police investigation in Aurora, there were no indications of foul play in the incident. According to affidavits from the lifeguard and responders, no weights were found on the victims' bodies, and no bruises or wounds were observed while they were given first aid.
The investigation also revealed that the team-building activity was conducted about 300 meters from the resort, despite the resort management's advice to stay only in the shallow part of the sea in front of the resort. According to police, the group allegedly asked not to be disturbed while conducting their activity.
