MANILA, Philippines —The local government of Talacogon, Agusan del Sur brought together the family, friends, supporters of young athlete Rene Clert Baterbonia to commemorate the 40th day of his death on July 18, 2026.
The event was held at Barangay Labnig, where he was buried. Present were his parents, Rene Sr. and Rovelyn Baterbonia, his siblings, relatives, and loved ones. Officials from the Municipality of Talacogon and the Provincial Government of Agusan del Sur also joined the ceremony, along with actress Mariel Padilla, wife of Sen. Robin Padilla, and BB Gandanghari, the senator's sibling.
In a Facebook post, Talacogon Mayor Pauline Masendo said the gathering was a tribute to Baterbonia's contributions to sports in Agusan del Sur and the inspiration he continued to provide to the community.
Baterbonia and fellow athlete Divine Adili drowned on June 8, 2026 during a team-building activity at a beach resort in Dipaculao, Aurora of the Ateneo de Manila University basketball team.
Meanwhile, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has recommended the filing of criminal charges before the Department of Justice (DOJ) against former Ateneo head coach Thomas Anthony "Tab" Baldwin and 10 other individuals.
