MANILA, Philippines — Efi, the wife of Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin, released a video online claiming she had previously warned Ateneo de Manila University that “children were not safe around him.”
The statement came shortly after Baldwin broke his silence, publicly expressing grief and apologizing to the families of Rene Baterbonia, 18, and Divine Adili, 21, who died in a tragic incident during a team activity in Dipaculao, Aurora on Monday.
In her video, Efi said she had reached out to the university in the past, urging officials to remove Baldwin from campus.
“At the time, I repeatedly informed Ateneo de Manila University that children were not safe around him, and I urged the university to take action and remove him from the campus,” she said. “Instead, what followed was a campaign of intimidation and silencing.”
Efi also spoke about her personal relationship with Baldwin.
“My name is Efi, and I have been married to Tab Baldwin since 2011. I am still legally married to him; however, in early 2020, I had to leave him for my safety and the safety of my children,” she said.
“This statement is in response to his latest interview and his comments regarding his family. I want to make it clear that he does not represent my children or me.”
She also expressed support for the grieving families.
“Rovelyn (Baterbonia) and Elias (Adili)—the deaths of your children were not only unpredictable, but preventable. Their bodies are still warm, and yet he is speaking about moving on. That is unacceptable,” she said.
Efi urged the public and authorities to continue seeking accountability.
“I am urging Filipinos, as well as the authorities, to continue asking why he was still allowed around children despite these warnings.”
