MANILA, Philippines – June 19 marked the start of the commencement exercises for Ateneo de Manila University’s (AdMU) graduating seniors. It coincides with the 165th birth anniversary of Ateneo’s most distinguished alumnus, Jose Rizal.
The day for celebrations, however, quickly turned into a day of remembrance and protest for AdMU student-athletes Rene Clert Baterbonia and Chukwuemeka Divine Adili , who died from drowning during a team-building activity on June 8.
During the university-wide commencement rites on Friday morning, graduating students, their guardians, and friends wore black bands on their right wrists to commemorate Baterbonia and Adili. The Ateneo Seniors’ Alliance (ASA) had earlier called on graduating seniors and super seniors to do so “as we stand with the families of Rene and Divine and carry their calls for justice, accountability, and the truth onto the stage.”
Meanwhile, on Friday afternoon, undergraduate students staged a walkout led by the university student government Sanggunian ng mga Mag-aaral ng mga Paaralang Loyola ng Ateneo de Manila.
Those who walked out gathered at Kostka Hall at 1 pm, chanting “ Hustisya para kay Rene at Divine (Justice for Rene and Divine)! ” Some of them carried signs and banners that read, “Ateneo, do better!”
As they made the rounds along classrooms and walkways, the crowd, clad in black, urged other students as well as graduating seniors — still in their togas — to walk out with them and join a program at the Zen Garden. There, in the middle of a pavilion, stood a table with candles, boards that held handwritten prayers for Baterbonia and Adili, a memorial tarpaulin, and several photos and illustrations of the two.
VIGIL. Students remember Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili during a candlelight vigil on June 19, 2026. Photo by Isabel Victorino/Rappler
“Today is a day of reckoning for the Ateneo de Manila,” former Sanggunian president Annika Torres said in her opening speech, calling for “a renewal of our institution.” She demanded accountability from the school as she called out the neglect and silence that followed Baterbonia and Adili’s deaths.
School of Humanities representative Lorelie Potencio read out a message from one of Adili’s friends and blockmates, Diego Avila. He spoke of Adili’s compassion, warmth, and commitment, even to school projects. He also shared that Adili would often give compliments and high fives to friends to cheer them on, and that he loved the show, SpongeBob SquarePants , as he related to its titular character. The memorial behind Potencio included an illustration of Adili with SpongeBob and Patrick from the show.
“Dee was more than just a classmate. He was like a brother — more specifically, a kuya (brother) figure to us,” Avila shared.
While no personal anecdotes were shared about Baterbonia — an incoming freshman — since he had yet to be welcomed by the students, they still remembered him on Friday as one of their own.
A call for Ateneo to return to its roots
Ron Cruz, a faculty member from the Department of Biology, also gave a speech during the program, saying, “This is no longer the Ateneo I learned to love, in many ways.” On behalf of the faculty, he expressed their solidarity with the student body, their anger, and their call for genuine healing moving forward.
“You may think it’s weird that we’re doing this on the same day as graduation, but actually, just as we celebrate the achievements of our graduating students, that makes us remember the things that we love about this school, the things that we value,” Cruz said.
ASA co-chair Zen Borja also spoke on behalf of the graduating batch, standing with the seniors who joined the walkout.
“ Narito kami ngayon hindi para sirain ang pagtatapos, hindi para burahin ang saya ng aming mga pamilya, hindi para malimutan ang apat na taon na minahal namin ang Ateneo (We are here not to ruin graduation, not to erase our families’ joy, not to forget the four years we spent loving Ateneo),” Borja said.
He said loving the school means holding it accountable, asking it to face the truth, and acting on its need to change.
He also called for:
a free and meaningful investigation
presence and full accountability instead of press releases
continuous and unconditional support for the loved ones Baterbonia and Adili left behind; and
widespread reforms for students and student-athletes.
Sanggunian president Jedryc Romero also addressed the students on Friday: “I think there’s really this desire for our community to see names, to see faces, and, I guess, [that’s also why my call during the] town hall for the resignation of one of our officials really resonated. Because we’re really looking for people, individuals, to really be accountable.”
During a town hall meeting on Tuesday, June 16, Romero called for the resignation of University Marketing and Communications Office head Matec Villanueva.
On Friday afternoon, some hours after the walkout, AdMU issued a universi…
Read the full article at Rappler →📄Source document: Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla→11 reports
Philippine Daily InquirerIndependentCenterFactual 90Objective 8510 days agoThe Philippine National Police (PNP) confirmed that closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage from the location where two Ateneo de Manila University basketball players drowned has been recovered. The PNP stated that investigators are using evidence-based and forensic procedures to determine the circumstances of the incident. The victims, Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili, were part of a team-building activity at a beach resort in Dipaculao, Aurora, when they were reportedly swept away by a current.
Bias read (Center): The article provides factual information without apparent ideological framing. It reports on the recovery of CCTV footage and the ongoing investigation into the drowning incident involving university students. There is no evident bias in language, sourcing, or emphasis.
Official sources cited
- government Philippine National Police (PNP)
Philippine Daily InquirerIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 802 days ago PNP chief hints at anti-hazing violations in Ateneo students’ drowningThe Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., indicated that potential violations of the Anti-Hazing Act (Republic Act No. 11053) are under consideration in relation to the drowning deaths of two Ateneo de Manila University student-athletes. The PNP–Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) has completed approximately 80% of its investigation into the incident. While no definitive charges have been announced, the PNP chief suggested that individuals involved might face charges related to hazing.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information without overtly biased language or emphasis. It reports on the PNP chief's comments regarding the ongoing investigation into the drowning incident and mentions the possibility of hazing-related charges without taking a stance or using loaded terms. The tone,措
Official sources cited
- government Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr.
Philippine Daily InquirerIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 806 days ago CIDG: Ateneo drowning case possible homicide, hazingThe Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) has stated that the investigation into the drowning deaths of Ateneo de Manila University men's basketball players Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili is now focusing on possible homicide or hazing charges. CIDG Director Maj. Gen. Robert Morico II mentioned that the determination will depend on interviews with the players. He noted that the Anti-Hazing Act of 2018 applies to various organizations, including academic institutions, and cited examples such as forced calisthenics or exposure to harsh weather conditions.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information regarding an ongoing criminal investigation without apparent bias. It quotes CIDG officials directly and does not include subjective language or selective sourcing that would indicate a particular ideological leaning.
Official sources cited
- government CIDG Director Maj. Gen. Robert Morico II
Philippine Daily InquirerIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 806 days ago PNP to ‘carefully consider’ all accounts in Ateneo drowning caseThe Philippine National Police (PNP) stated it is carefully considering all accounts related to the drowning deaths of Ateneo de Manila University student-athletes Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili during a team-building activity. The PNP emphasized that all public statements and information provided to investigators will be examined as part of the ongoing investigation. A woman identifying herself as Efi, who claims to be the estranged wife of Ateneo Blue Eagles head coach Tab Baldwin, alleged that she and her daughter had previously warned the university about safety concerns regarding her ex
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual updates on an ongoing police investigation without overtly favoring any side. It includes statements from the PNP and mentions allegations from an individual claiming to be the estranged wife of the coach, but does not editorialize or present biased language.
Official sources cited
- government PNP Public Information Office OIC Police Col. Allen Rae Co
Philippine Daily InquirerIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 806 days ago PNP to ‘carefully consider’ all accounts in Ateneo drowning caseThe Philippine National Police (PNP) stated it is carefully considering all accounts related to the drowning deaths of Ateneo de Manila University student-athletes Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili during a team-building activity. The PNP emphasized that all public statements and information provided to investigators will be examined as part of the ongoing investigation. Additionally, a woman identifying herself as Efi, who claims to be the estranged wife of Ateneo Blue Eagles head coach Tab Baldwin, alleged that she and her daughter had previously warned the university about safety concerns,劝说
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual updates on an ongoing police investigation without overtly favoring any side. It includes statements from the PNP and mentions claims from an individual alleging safety concerns but does not editorialize or present biased language.
Official sources cited
- government PNP Public Information Office OIC Police Col. Allen Rae Co
Philippine Daily InquirerIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 755 days ago Cagers’ deaths: Ateneo head says sorry, accepts Baldwin’s resignationAteneo de Manila University president Roberto Yap expressed deep apologies to the families of two deceased basketball players, Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili, who died during a school-sanctioned training activity at a beach resort in Dipaculao, Aurora province on June 8. Yap acknowledged the families' 'unbearable' pain and accepted the resignation of Ateneo men's basketball coach Tab Baldwin.
Bias read (Center): The article presents a straightforward account of the university's response to the incident, including the apology and acceptance of the coach's resignation. There is no evident framing bias, loaded language, or selective sourcing. The tone remains neutral and focused on the institutional response.
Official sources cited
- organisation Ateneo de Manila University president Roberto Yap
Philippine Daily InquirerIndependentCenteryesterday Ateneo coach’s camp maintains Aurora drowning tragedy an ‘accident’Ateneo de Manila University men's basketball coach Reynaldo Jacinto has stated through his lawyer, Pelagio Cuison, that the drownings of players Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili in Aurora were an 'accident.' Jacinto provided a statement to the Philippine National Police–Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP–CIDG) during an ongoing investigation into the incident.
Bias read (Center): The article presents a factual summary of the coach's legal representative's statement without overtly favoring any side. The framing remains neutral, focusing on the legal process and the coach's position without using loaded language or emphasizing one perspective over another.
Philippine Daily InquirerIndependentCenter2 days ago CIDG subpoenas Ateneo president for June 25 drowning probe – RemullaThe Philippine National Police – Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP–CIDG) has issued a subpoena for Ateneo de Manila University president Fr. Roberto Yap as part of an ongoing investigation into the fatal drownings of two Ateneo men’s basketball players, Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili. Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla confirmed the subpoena and mentioned that other individuals, including the team manager Epok Quimpo, have not yet appeared before the PNP–CIDG. Former coach Tab Baldwin and other members of the basketball program have already been questioned.
Bias read (Center): The article reports on a legal investigation without apparent ideological framing. It provides factual details about the subpoena and mentions multiple parties involved in the case without showing preference for any side. There is no evident loaded language, one-sided sourcing, or omission of key信息.
Official sources cited
- government Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla
Philippine Daily InquirerIndependentCenter2 days ago Ateneo probe: Players, coaches give ‘inconsistent’ accountsAteneo de Manila University men's basketball players and coaches provided conflicting accounts during a police investigation into the June 8 drowning of student-athletes Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili. Former head coach Tab Baldwin and other university officials attended the inquiry. Authorities stated there were inconsistencies between the players' and coaches' testimonies but emphasized that the investigation was ongoing and no conclusions could be drawn yet.
Bias read (Center): The article reports on an ongoing police investigation with no clear ideological framing. It presents facts without taking sides, emphasizing the inconsistency in accounts and the need for further investigation. No biased language, sourcing, or emphasis is evident.
Official sources cited
- government Philippine National Police (PNP)
- government Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla
RapplerIndependentCenter2 days agoOn June 19, Ateneo de Manila University held its commencement exercises amid mourning for two deceased student-athletes, Rene Clert Baterbonia and Chukwuemeka Divine Adili, who drowned during a team-building activity on June 8. Graduating students and their families wore black wristbands to honor the victims and call for justice, accountability, and truth. Undergraduate students also staged a walkout demanding the university 'do better,' carrying signs and chanting for justice.
Bias read (Center): The article reports on events related to student protests following the deaths of two athletes. There is no overt political framing, ideological emphasis, or biased language. The focus is on the mourning process, calls for justice, and student activism without taking a stance on the issue.
Philippine Daily InquirerIndependentCenter2 days ago PNP eyes hazing raps in Ateneo players’ drowningThe Philippine National Police (PNP) is considering potential charges under the Anti-Hazing Act related to the drowning of two Ateneo de Manila University basketball players, Rene Clert Baterbonia and Divine Adili. The PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) has completed approximately 80% of its investigation into the incident, which occurred during water exercises in Dipaculao, Aurora. The police have indicated there is a possibility that individuals involved could face charges for violating the Anti-Hazing Law.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information regarding the ongoing investigation into the drowning incident without apparent bias. It reports on the PNP's consideration of legal charges under the Anti-Hazing Act but does not exhibit loaded language, one-sided sourcing, or editorializing. The content is
Official sources cited
- government Philippine National Police chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr.
PH