Former Ateneo basketball coach Tab Baldwin and 11 other respondents have until Sept. 15 to submit their counter-affidavits as prosecutors examine complaints stemming from the drowning deaths of two university basketball players in Aurora.
Ateneo student-athletes Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili died during a training activity in Dipaculao on June 8, prompting an investigation by the National Bureau of Investigation and subsequent proceedings before the Department of Justice.
Justice Undersecretary Ian Norman Dato said Thursday that prosecutors had already conducted the first hearing in the preliminary investigation. The respondents are expected to formally answer the allegations at the next proceeding.
The NBI recommended complaints for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide against Baldwin, who has since resigned as head coach, along with several members of the Ateneo basketball program.
Also covered by the recommendation were strength and conditioning coaches Ceasar Vincent “CJ” Elumba and Grant Dearns; assistant coaches Reynaldo “Jon” Jacinto Jr., Dean Caesar Castaño and Sandro Nicholas “Sandro” Romero; Hernan Ameer “Buboy” Domingo; and physical therapist John Eric Ruecay Quiambao.
The bureau separately recommended simple negligence resulting in two counts of homicide against Ateneo athletic director Emmanuel Fernandez and three people associated with Hermanos Leisure and Agri-Farm Resort.
The three resort respondents were identified as Francisco Zubia III, Frederick Zubia and Yedda Mary Molina Rubio, who were described in the complaint as owners or managers of the property.
Prosecutors will evaluate the complaints, counter-affidavits and other evidence to determine whether there is sufficient basis to pursue charges in court. The proceedings remain at the preliminary investigation stage, and the allegations against the respondents have yet to be adjudicated.