Ateneo de Manila University has appealed to the public to refrain from cyberbullying, online harassment, and spreading unverified information as authorities continue investigating the deaths of student-athletes Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili.
In a statement released Saturday, June 27, the university emphasized that many of the students whose names and photos have circulated online are young people facing an "extraordinarily difficult experience" following the tragedy.
"As public attention surrounding this incident continues, we ask everyone to remember that many of those whose names and images have circulated online are young students who are now living through an extraordinarily difficult experience," Ateneo said.
The university urged the public to avoid cyberbullying, personal attacks, and the spread of unverified information, stressing that accountability should never come at the expense of compassion.
"We respectfully urge everyone to refrain from cyberbullying, online harassment, the spread of unverified information, and personal attacks against those involved. Let us allow the appropriate processes to determine the facts, remembering that the pursuit of accountability must never come at the expense of our shared humanity," the statement read.
Ateneo also underscored that regardless of the outcome of the ongoing investigations, the students involved deserve to be treated with fairness, dignity, and humanity, adding that public criticism should not descend into threats, ridicule, or abuse directed at students or their families.
The statement comes days after the Philippine National Police's Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) recommended the filing of complaints for alleged violations of the Anti-Hazing Act of 2018 against 11 individuals in connection with the deaths of Baterbonia and Adili.
According to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), investigators found that members of the Ateneo men's basketball team were allegedly subjected to extreme physical activities, punishment exercises, and sea-based training under hazardous conditions before Baterbonia and Adili drowned during a team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora on June 8.
Baterbonia, an incoming rookie for the Ateneo Blue Eagles and a former Palarong Pambansa standout, and Adili, Ateneo's foreign student-athlete for UAAP Season 88, both died during the activity, prompting calls for accountability and a comprehensive investigation into the incident.
Ateneo said it continues to mourn the loss of the two student-athletes while fully cooperating with authorities.
"As we continue to grieve this profound loss and cooperate fully with the ongoing investigations, we ask that compassion guide our words and actions. Even in moments of deep sorrow and intense public scrutiny, we believe that accountability and our shared humanity must go hand in hand," the university said.
