MANILA, Philippines — At least five student players of the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) including victim Divine Adili participated in the tragic sea drills despite admitting that they could not swim, a key information that strengthened the recommendation of the Philippine National Police - Criminal Investigation and Detection Group’s (PNP-CIDG) for filing of charges for violation of anti-hazing law, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said on Friday.
In a press briefing on Friday, Remulla said investigators found that Baldwin, before the water activity, even asked the players who could not swim.
Five players admitted they were non-swimmers, including Adili but instead of excluding them from the activity, Remulla said they were merely instructed on how to deal with rip currents.
"Alam niya na hindi marunong lumangoy, pero tinuruan niya pa rin paano mag-handle ng rip currents," Remulla told reporters at the Camp Crame.
Remulla was firm that Baldwin “was of full knowledge that this could possibly happen.”
Remulla went on to question the Ateneo’s coaching staff decision of having allowed non-swimmers to participate in open-water training.
"Paano mo tuturuan ang hindi marunong lumangoy na mag-handle ng rip currents?" he said.
Remulla said Rene Baterbonia, the other fatality, was the only one among those who drowned who knew how to swim.
He identified the other players who admitted they could not swim as Kiefer Alas, Ian Espinosa, and two others.
DILG Assistant Secretary Brian Mey Tomas said the CIDG's investigation found that the supposed team-building activity met the elements of hazing under the Expanded Anti-Hazing Act.
Meanwhile, PNP CIDG director P/MGen. Robert Morico II debunked claims circulating online that players were forced to wear weights on their legs during the sea exercise.
"There was none. That's not true," Morico said when asked about the matter.
