MANILA, Philippines—The remains of Rene Baterbonia, one of two players from the Ateneo De Manila University (ADMU) men’s basketball program who died in a drowning incident during a teambuilding in Aurora, will be brought to his home province of Agusan del Sur via Davao on Friday.
In a statement on their social media page, ADMU said a wake mass will be held to honor Baterbonia at the Arlington Memorial Chapels in Quezon City at 6 p.m. on Thursday.
“Rene will be brought home to Agusan del Sur via Davao on Friday morning,” ADMU said.
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“His passing has left deep sorrow among those who knew him as a son, a brother, a teammate, a friend, and a young man whose future was just unfolding. Today, we remember Rene with gratitude for his life and grieve with all who loved him,” it added.
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According to his high school coach, Jess Evangelio, a wake will also be held at Ateneo de Davao University.
“For all his loved ones, supporters, teachers, friends, teammates, and family members in Davao who would like to pay their respects and visit him, you may do so there,” Evangelio said in a Facebook post on Wednesday.
“Further updates regarding schedules and arrangements will be posted as soon as they become available.”
READ: Grieving Baterbonia mom airs frustraion over info gap, spread
Before Baterbonia became an Ateneo Blue Eagle, he was first an Ateneo de Davao Blue Knight.
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Baterbonia starred for Ateneo de Davao University and led the Davao Region to the championship in the Palarong Pambansa last year.
They also reached the finals and lost to Calabarzon in this year’s Palarong Pambansa.
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According to the Aurora Provincial Police Office, Baterbonia died of “asphyxia by drowning” based on the post-mortem examination.
His teammate, Nigerian foreign student-athlete Divine Adili, also died. Adili’s body will be flown to Nigeria.
“We also mourn Divine Adili, his teammate, gone in the same tragedy,” the school also wrote.
“We trust that the circumstances of this tragedy will be examined fully, and that whatever is found will be addressed with honesty and care for the families.”
Local authorities had stated that the drowning was “purely accidental” and ruled out foul play.
The tragedy, however, sparked public outcry and scrutiny with the Blue Eagles’ “bootcamp” under coach Tab Baldwin put in the spotlight.
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Investigations are ongoing with the Department of Justice (DOJ) even instructing the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to form a task force and look into the incident. /gsg
Read the full article at Philippine Daily Inquirer →
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