MANILA, Philippines — Despite the possibility that the number of persons of interest under investigation in the drowning of Ateneo de Manila University athletes may be reduced, a lawyer for the family of one of the victims said they would explore other legal remedies, including the filing of supplemental complaints against all respondents.
Lawyer Israelito Torreon said they have yet to receive a copy of the case referred by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) before the Department of Justice recommending the filing of hazing charges against former Blue Eagles head coach Tab Baldwin and 10 others.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Monday clarified his earlier statement, saying student managers, as well as utility / ball boys, could be dropped from the list of the accused and eventually become witnesses if their innocence could be proven.
“I really could not comment fully, 'noh? I have not seen the complaint…” Torreon said in an ambush interview with reporters on Tuesday.
“Be that as it may, it also opens for us a remedy… If certain respondents can still be withdrawn from the complaint then there is likewise no prohibition on our part to file a supplemental complaint, including certain persons whom we view uh to be likewise responsible for the incident,” Torreon said.
He, however, emphasized that the filing of any supplemental complaint remained under study pending their review of the complaint.
"Pero that would still be under study para makita muna namin 'yung complaint (so that we can first see the complaint),” he said.
The family of Rene Baterbonia arrived at the CIDG on Tuesday to hear the full investigation report of the CIDG. Torreon, however, was not allowed to enter the conference room where the CIDG met the family.
