PNP Chief Plt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. – Photo courtesy of the Office of the Chief PNP/Facebook.
Philippine National Police chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez urged schools, coaches, and sports groups to prioritize student safety as police continued investigating the deaths of Ateneo basketball players Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili.
Nartatez said investigators owed the families of the two players a complete and impartial probe before any conclusion could be made.
He said the investigation should help schools and sports organizations understand that student welfare must come before any activity.
Baterbonia and Adili drowned on June 8 during a reported training and team-building activity at a beach resort in Dipaculao, Aurora.
The two were reportedly swept away by large waves during the activity.
Nartatez said the PNP investigation was about 80 percent complete.
He said more witnesses were expected to appear before investigators on Friday and next Monday.
At least 48 individuals were subpoenaed by the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, including players, coaches, Ateneo officials, and representatives of MVP Sports. Nartatez said rushing the probe could leave out key facts needed to determine whether the deaths involved accident, negligence, or a possible violation of law.
