The Philippine National Police (PNP) said Tuesday that the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group would temporarily stop issuing updates on its investigation into the deaths of Ateneo basketball players Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili.
The PNP made the statement after several former Ateneo players arrived at the CIDG headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City, between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m.
PNP public information chief Col. Allen Rae Co said the police recognized public interest in the case but stressed that investigators needed more time to continue their work.
Co said the CIDG director was focused on the ongoing probe and would allow the investigation to progress before releasing further statements.
The CIDG earlier said it was coordinating with former Ateneo players as it looked into resurfaced claims of questionable team practices during past training activities, particularly under former head coach Tab Baldwin.
Co said withholding updates for now was meant to protect the integrity of the investigation and the rights of all parties involved.
He said the PNP wanted to ensure that any future statement would be accurate, complete, and fair, adding that the CIDG was expected to hold a press briefing next week.
Baterbonia and Adili died on June 8 during a reported training activity along the shoreline of Dipaculao, Aurora. The CIDG earlier said the probe was looking into possible homicide or hazing angles, while Baldwin later apologized for the players’ deaths in a video posted by Ateneo.