Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) on Friday said it acknowledged the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group's (CIDG) recommendation to file hazing charges against resigned Ateneo Men's Basketball head coach Tab Baldwin and 10 others in connection with the deaths of student-athletes Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili.
In a statement, ADMU spokesperson Fr. RB Hizon, SJ, emphasized that the university will continue to cooperate with authorities as other investigations remain ongoing.
"We acknowledge the CIDG's recommendation and respect the work it has undertaken in the course of its investigation," Hizon said.
He noted that the recommendation will still undergo review by the Department of Justice (DOJ), as required under the law.
"We also recognize that other investigations remain ongoing, and we will continue to cooperate fully with all competent authorities as they complete their respective inquiries, while the CIDG's recommendation will now be reviewed by the Department of Justice, as provided under the law," he said.
"We are confident that the facts will be fully and fairly evaluated through the proper process."
Hizon also reaffirmed Ateneo's commitment to accountability, student welfare, and institutional reforms following the incident.
"The University will continue to support the families of those involved, care for its students and community, and strengthen the reforms already underway to help ensure that such a tragedy is never repeated," he said.
Earlier, the CIDG recommended the filing of charges for alleged violations of the Anti-Hazing Act against Baldwin and 10 others who participated in organizing and conducting a team-building activity in Aurora that resulted in the deaths of Baterbonia and Adili.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said the investigation found that the activities conducted during the team-building exercise fell within the expanded definition of hazing under the Anti-Hazing Act.
"Ang Anti-Hazing Act ay revised na po 'yan. Ang dati pong iniisip natin, ang hazing ay initiations lamang. Ngunit dito, ang team-building at training ay nag-cross over papunta sa hazing," Remulla said during a press briefing where the CIDG presented its findings.
Remulla explained that under the law, hazing “refers to any act that results in physical or psychological suffering, harm or injury inflicted on a recruit, neophyte, applicant or member.”
He added that prohibited acts include “forced calisthenics and exposure to weather.”
Baterbonia and Adili died after they were swept away by strong waves while in waist-deep water during the team-building activity at a resort in Dipaculao, Aurora.
