MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has formed a special task force to investigate the deaths of two Ateneo de Manila University basketball players during a team-building activity in Aurora, despite an initial police finding that no foul play was involved.
NBI Director Melvin Matibag signed Administrative Order 16 creating Task Force Baterbonia and Adili, which will investigate the deaths of Rene Clert Baterbonia, 19, and Divine Adili, 21, who drowned on June 8 while participating in a Blue Eagles team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora.
The order stemmed from a resolution filed by Aurora Sangguniang Kabataan Provincial Federation President and Board Member Helen Mae Discaya and co-authored by Vice Gov. Clarice Jubahib, urging the NBI Central Office to undertake a thorough and impartial investigation into the incident.
The task force will be led by the assistant director for the Investigation Service, with the regional director of the Central Luzon Regional Office serving as deputy head. Investigators from the Homicide Division, Aurora District Office, Technical Investigation Division, Digital Forensic Laboratory and Medico-Legal Division have been assigned to the team.
Matibag directed the task force to submit an initial progress report within 10 days and provide weekly updates until the investigation is completed.
In a statement, the NBI said the finding of the Aurora Police Provincial Office that there was no foul play did not automatically settle questions of possible legal liability.
“A finding of no foul play speaks to the absence of intentional harm. It does not, by itself, answer whether these deaths resulted from negligence in the conduct of the activity,” the bureau said.
The NBI said it was examining whether criminal liability may arise under Article 365 of the Revised Penal Code, which penalizes deaths caused by reckless or simple imprudence. It is also looking into possible civil liabilities under provisions of the Civil Code governing negligence and the duty of care owed by organizers of school-sanctioned activities.
Investigators are expected to determine whether the venue and sea conditions were properly assessed, whether sufficient safety measures and supervision were provided, and whether any breach of duty contributed to the deaths of the two student-athletes.
Police reported that Baterbonia and Adili were participating in a team exercise in waist- to thigh-deep water when they were swept away by strong currents. Companions and resort lifeguards attempted to rescue them, but both were later declared dead at a hospital.
Col. Percival Pineda, Aurora police chief, said the Ateneo men's basketball team had conducted similar team-building activities at the same site in previous years.
The NBI stressed that the investigation was not directed at any institution because of its status or influence, but was intended to establish the facts and determine whether any legal accountability exists.
The bureau also said it would coordinate closely with the Philippine National Police and urged the public to avoid speculation while the investigation was ongoing.
Baterbonia, a former standout from Ateneo de Davao University, had recently competed in the 2026 Palarong Pambansa and was expected to make his debut in the upcoming UAAP Season 89. Adili, a 6-foot-10 Nigerian center, who played for the Blue Eagles in UAAP Season 88.
