MANILA, Philippines — A total of 48 individuals have been subpoenaed so far over the fatal drowning of Ateneo de Manila University basketball players Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili, the Philippine National Police–Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP–CIDG) said.
In a press briefing in Camp Crame on Wednesday, CIDG director Maj. Gen. Robert Morico II noted, “We are expecting to interview and subpoena 48 persons.”
Baterbonia and Adili died after reportedly being swept away by current during a supposed training exercise along the shoreline of Dipaculao, Aurora earlier this month.
READ: Tab Baldwin, other Ateneo coaches subpoenaed anew by PNP-CIDG
Asked whether the persons subpoenaed by CIDG included the players and coaching staff who participated in the Aurora event as well as officials of Ateneo and Smart Communications, Morico answered in the affirmative.
Pressed to identify the individuals summoned, Morico answered, “II cannot give you the item so they wouldn’t know. It’d be material to the coaching and others who are looking into as persons of interest so that they wouldn’t know whom we’ve spoken to.”
He previously said the CIDG had determined at least seven persons of interest in the investigation.
He earlier noted that investigators are now looking into possible homicide or hazing cases.
Last Monday, Morico noted that their investigation so far discovered that the Ateneo men’s basketball team was allegedly being planned and funded by Smart Communications’ foundation.
The foundation in question, MVP Sports, on Tuesday clarified that its involvement with the Ateneo team was limited to providing financial support.
“We have communicated with the school authorities and their parents during the issuance of their subpoena and we specifically instructed them to be accompanied by a counsel of their own choice because we will be using this one (their statements),” Morico explained.
“As of now, every one of them has their own lawyers, including the coaches,” he added.
Asked whether the investigation was still looking into possible homicide or hazing cases, Morico answered, “The investigation is ongoing, so we will see.”
Morico earlier confirmed that, on Monday, Ateneo Athletics Program Director Emmanuel Fernandez personally appeared before police investigators.
At the briefing, the CIDG chief further confirmed that at least 17 former and current Ateneo men’s basketball players have also personally appeared before the police unit on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Asked whether other officials of Ateneo as well as representatives of MVP Sports had personally appeared before the CIDG, Morico answered in the negative. /mr /apl
