MANILA, Philippines — The University Athletic Association of the Philippines is ready to take action once authorities complete their findings in the drowning incident involving Ateneo men's basketball team players Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili.
Baterbonia, 18, and Adili, 21, drowned during a Blue Eagles' training activity in Dipaculao Beach, Aurora.
"As previously stated, the UAAP will fully take into account the findings of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and the concerned member school, as only limited details have been officially confirmed," the UAAP wrote in a statement Sunday.
"The UAAP, however, is closely following all the developments surrounding this tragic incident and carefully reviewing the findings of the ongoing investigations as they come. When completed, all the relevant information will be referred for a full and fair review to the Rules and Disciplinary Committee, composed of representatives from the seven other member schools.
"The safety, well-being, and holistic development of student-athletes are at the heart of the UAAP’s inherent mission. As a community of educational institutions, we are committed to learning from this tragedy and we will work together to strengthen safeguards that protect our student-athletes both on and off the field of play."
UAAP vowed that it will enforce the sanctions in cases where protocols are breached while still observing due process.
It added that it will review and revise, if necessary, the existing rules to promote student welfare and strengthen measure that will held the powers that be accountable.
The league added that it will also "expand access to protective measures, mental health resources, and support services for student-athletes, coaches, and staff, while sustaining programs that foster camaraderie and communal well-being."
