MANILA, Philippines — Several faculty members of the Ateneo de Manila University on Thursday signed an open letter seeking clarity over the deaths of student-athletes Rene Clert “Bobet” Baterbonia and Chukwuemeka Divine Adili.
Signed by 163 Ateneo faculty members, the letter appealed for “greater clarity and transparency from the University administration.”
“We write this letter as educators who care deeply for the well-being, safety, rights, and dignity of all our students. These are the very values that Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) has formed and deepened in us: values of magis, cura personalis, compassion and social justice, which we strive to express in our teaching and mentorship, our institutional policies and processes,” the letter wrote.
Among the questions asked by the faculty members included if “due process followed in this activity in accordance with University regulations,” if parents and guardians were informed of the activity’s nature, if safety measures put in place to anticipate or mitigate risks, and several others.
“Are the leaves of absence of Coach [Tab] Baldwin and Team Manager [Epok] Quimpo tantamount to a preventive suspension as is the standard operating procedure in cases of this nature? While there may have been no ill-intent on their part, such a measure is important as a gesture of commitment to a fair and objective investigation,” the letter read.
“We appeal for sincere and humane expressions of apology, empathy, and compassion from the University leaders and coaching staff. The nameless, faceless, and sterile official social media posts have downplayed the gravity of the situation and the accountability of the University. We appeal for the University administration and coaching staff to come forward — in person — with humility and acknowledgment of wrongdoing and lapses in judgment, risk mitigation, communication, and most especially, care for our students,” they added.
Baterbonia’s remains are at the Arlington Memorial Chapels in Quezon City before being sent to Agusan del Sur and Davao City for his funeral, while Adili’s remains are set to be repatriated to his native Nigeria, though the family has requested an autopsy.
