The grief of losing a child has turned into a public plea for justice as the father of Ateneo de Manila University student-athlete Divine Adili demands accountability following the death of his son during a team-building activity in Aurora province.
For Elias Adili, the tragedy is more than a devastating accident—it is a loss he believes should never have happened.
“I want justice for my son, Chukwuemeka Divine Adili,” he wrote in a heartbreaking social media post that has resonated across the Ateneo community and beyond.
The emotional message laid bare a father’s anguish over the sudden death of the 21-year-old basketball player, who drowned alongside teammate Rene Baterbonia, 19, during an Ateneo Blue Eagles training camp in Dipaculao, Aurora.
“Divine, your family is deeply pained and devastated by your demise,” Elias wrote. “We miss you, and our tears seem endless.”
As the family mourns, calls for accountability are intensifying from multiple fronts—law enforcement authorities, lawmakers, students, and the victims’ loved ones—all seeking clarity on what transpired during the activity that ended in tragedy.
Questions Surround Final Moments
Authorities reported that Adili and Baterbonia went missing while swimming near the shoreline on June 8. Their bodies were later recovered only a few meters from shore after an extensive search.
What should have been a routine team-building exercise has since become the focus of a widening investigation.
The Philippine National Police has launched a fact-finding inquiry, summoning coaches, players, and other individuals who participated in the activity. Investigators are attempting to reconstruct the events leading up to the deaths and determine whether safety protocols were followed.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. stressed the importance of transparency and full cooperation from everyone involved.
“We owe the parents and the public a clear explanation of what really happened,” Nartatez said, noting that witness accounts will be crucial in establishing the sequence of events.
The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group has also confirmed that it is examining all possible angles, including potential violations of Republic Act No. 11053, or the Anti-Hazing Act of 2018, as part of the broader investigation.
From Campus Grief to National Concern
The deaths have sparked outrage and sorrow within the Ateneo community.
Students, alumni, and supporters gathered for vigils and memorial activities, demanding accountability while honoring the lives of the two young athletes.
The tragedy has also reached the halls of Congress.
Navotas Rep. Tobias Tiangco has filed a resolution seeking a congressional inquiry into the incident, arguing that the deaths raise serious concerns about athlete safety, supervision, and institutional responsibility.
As an Ateneo alumnus himself, Tiangco said the issue transcends school loyalties and demands an impartial examination.
“Whenever young lives are lost under circumstances that raise serious questions about safety and supervision, we owe it to their families and to the public to find out exactly what happened and who should be held accountable,” he said.
Family Awaits Truth
Adding another layer to the investigation, the Nigerian Embassy in Manila confirmed that Adili’s family requested an autopsy before his remains are repatriated to Nigeria.
The request underscores the family’s determination to obtain a complete and independent understanding of the circumstances surrounding his death.
Meanwhile, Malacañang has called for an immediate investigation, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability.
For now, the questions remain unanswered.
For Divine Adili’s family, however, the issue is no longer simply about determining how a promising young athlete died.
It is about ensuring that the truth emerges—and that no other family is forced to endure the same pain.
As investigations continue, a grieving father’s message continues to echo across social media and the Ateneo community: a simple but powerful demand for justice, accountability, and answers.