Coach Tab appears at Crame for drowning probe

newsinfo / Headlines Headlines Coach Tab appears at Crame for drowning probe By: Jason Sigales - Reporter / @jasonsigalesINQ INQUIRER.net / 05:34 AM June 20, 2026 Share: ONE OF 48 SUMMONED Former Ateneo de Manila University men’s basketball team coach Tab Baldwin complies on Friday with the subpoena issued by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group. SCREENGRAB FROM VIDEO COURTESY OF PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE PRESS CORPS Tab Baldwin, the resigned head coach of the Ateneo de Manila University men’s basketball team, appeared before the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) on Friday in response to the second subpoena it issued to him in connection with the investigation into the drowning of two student-athletes during an off-campus training in Dipaculao, Aurora, on June 8.

Baldwin, accompanied by lawyers, arrived at the CIDG headquarters in Camp Crame shortly before 8:30 a.m. as the police piece together the events that led to the drowning of Blue Eagles rookie Rene Clert “Bobet” Baterbonia and Nigerian player Chukwuemeka Divine Adili during a team-building activity at a beach resort in Dipaculao town.

Article continues after this advertisement READ: Ateneo drowning probe: Baldwin arrives at CIDGFEATURED STORIES NEWSINFO Marcos wants Abalos back in gov't, rules out Cabinet revamp NEWSINFO Tropical depression outside PAR may become a storm late Friday NEWSINFO Ateneo drowning probe: Baldwin arrives at CIDG Also appearing at the CIDG office on Friday were assistant coaches Reynaldo Jacinto Jr., Dean Castaño and Sandro Soriano, and university athletics director Em Fernandez. Baldwin, Castaño, Soriano and Fernandez did not give a statement to reporters.

But Jacinto, speaking through his lawyer, maintained that what happened in Aurora was an “accident.” “Coach Jacinto gave his statement to the CIDG. He recounted what happened …

Hopefully, after this, investigators get the finding that, sadly, an unexpected event happened. It was all just an accident and there was really no initiation rites,” lawyer Pelagio Cuison, who represents Jacinto, told reporters. Article continues after this advertisement “At the end of the day, nobody wanted this to happen.

We hope the CIDG and NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) will also come to the same conclusion,” he added. “The coach (Jacinto) was really sad. He even cried …

recounting how he was able to save one player from drowning and how he was unable to save the others,” Cuison said. Article continues after this advertisement ADMU prez also summoned Philippine National Police chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr.

said the investigation into the incident was around “80 percent” complete, as more witnesses were expected to appear until next week. At least 48 people had been subpoenaed by the CIDG in connection with its investigation. “Rushing the process may overlook critical facts that determine whether this was an accident, negligence, or a possible violation of the law,” Nartatez told reporters.

Among those summoned by the CIDG and the NBI in their separate investigations included players and coaches present during the Aurora training as well as officials of Ateneo and MVP Sports, the foundation supporting the team. Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said the CIDG had also summoned Ateneo president Fr. Roberto Yap, SJ, to appear on June 25.

“Ateneo is holding its graduation rites, that’s why [Yap] couldn’t come. He is subpoenaed for Thursday next week,” Remulla told reporters at Camp Crame on Friday, adding that Yap had sent word to investigators that he could not attend Friday’s proceedings. Remulla also noted that Ateneo men’s basketball team manager Epok Quimpo had yet to appear before the CIDG.

Asked whether the investigation has found any violations committed by Baldwin during the incident, Remulla told reporters: “Not yet. Wait until the full report.” Checking drone shots Earlier, CIDG Director Maj.

Gen. Robert Morico II said Baldwin was summoned, particularly to provide personal knowledge of the incident and to produce the drone footage of the rescue efforts. Remulla said the drone footage was very short, noting “it was around two minutes after the fact.”

“We’re still researching if they have footage of the event itself. So far, there is no such thing,” he said. “[Baldwin] asked an assistant coach, perhaps the student manager, to get the drone.

He tried to operate the drone while the players were being rescued … In the confusion of it all, the drone failed. But, the resort, I think, put up another drone,” Remulla said.

He described Baldwin’s statement as “material” because “he was the head coach, head of management.” “He makes 90 percent of the executive decisions. So, his testimony is very important,” Remulla added.

Apologies On June 12, four days after the tragedy, Baldwin apologized over the deaths of Baterbonia, 18, and Adili, 21, through a video message released by Ateneo. Three days later, the university announced that it accepted Baldwin’s res