MANILA, Philippines — Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano on Tuesday called on authorities to ensure that the death of rising basketball star Rene Clert “Bobet” Baterbonia is “solved, not just case closed,” as he and Sen. Robin Padilla supported efforts to bring a film about the young athlete's story to the big screen.
During a Facebook livestream with Padilla and Rene’s parents, Rovelyn and Buboy Baterbonia, Cayetano said the injustice surrounding the teenager’s death must be corrected and the truth brought to light.
“We thank everyone, including the government, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the police and everyone investigating the case. But we hope it will be solved, not just closed,” Cayetano said.
Padilla said the film tells the story of Rene, a young man with big dreams who inspired other Filipino youth.
The senator said he had sought Cayetano’s help in bringing the production to audiences.
Padilla also said he hoped the film would help the public understand what happened to Rene, noting that similar incidents often go unnoticed or receive little media attention.
“Many similar incidents happen, but they go unseen and unreported,” Padilla said.
Cayetano, meanwhile, expressed concern over difficulties surrounding the film’s release, saying there appeared to be efforts to prevent it from being shown.
He urged those who knew the truth to speak up, even if doing so would be painful for some.
“If something is wrong, admit it and apologize. If something is right but has been kept hidden, bring it to light,” Cayetano said.
He added that the film could help expose injustices that still needed to be addressed.
“Even in his death, there are injustices in this world that need to be corrected,” he said.
