MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Sports Stakeholders' Panel on Wednesday reaffirmed its commitment to developing stronger safeguards for athlete safety following the deaths of Ateneo men's basketball players Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili in a team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora on June 8.
The Sports Stakeholders' Panel is composed of the Philippine Sports Commission, Department of Education, National Youth Commission, Commission on Higher Education, University Athletic Association of the Philippines, and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.
"We reiterate our strong commitment to professionalizing coaching and team management through higher standards, continuous education, mandatory certifications (including basic life support training), clearer operational guidelines, and robust safeguarding measures across all sports environments," the panel wrote in a statement.
"Properly designed and implemented, these reforms will protect both athletes and coaches, reinforce ethical and professional practice, and strengthen public trust in sport."
With athletes' safety in mind, the PSC introduced the Coach Developer Academy.
"The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) has already begun this work through the Coach Developer Academy, which prepares coach developers who will train and certify coaches under the forthcoming National Sports Coaching Certification Program," the panel wrote.
"This initiative is being implemented in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd), while CHED develops new Memorandum Orders on athlete welfare and safe sport. National Sports Associations (NSAs) are likewise encouraged to strengthen their safeguarding frameworks and designate safeguarding officers so that concerns that emerge in sporting environments can be safely raised, addressed, and resolved. These initiatives lay the groundwork for renewed consideration of the proposed Sports Coaching Act (H.B. 2631)."
The Sports Panel expressed support to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group which have already concluded its investigation of the Aurora tragedy that claimed the lives of Baterbonia and Adili.
The CIDG recommended the Department of Justice file charges against resigned Blue Eagles basketball head coach Tab Baldwin and 10 other people for their alleged violation of the Anti-Hazing Act in the said Ateneo team-building activity.
"The Sports Stakeholders’ Panel expresses its support for the process being undertaken by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and is grateful for its diligent and sustained pursuit of the truth in the Aurora tragedy that claimed the lives of two student-athletes, Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili," the panel said.
"We likewise commend the transparency of the CIDG’s public updates and respect its steadfast adherence to due process throughout the investigation. We also support the ongoing proceedings of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) in evaluating institutional oversight under CHED Memorandum Order No. 63, s. 2017."
