CIDG urges Tab Baldwin to appear in probe of Ateneo players’ deaths

By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan, Philippine News Agency

Resigned Ateneo de Manila University men’s basketball team coach Thomas Anthony “Tab” Baldwin (Screengrab from Ateneo de Manila University/facebook)

MANILA – Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) chief Maj. Gen. Robert Alexander Morico II on Wednesday urged former Ateneo de Manila University men’s basketball coach Thomas Anthony “Tab” Baldwin to personally appear before investigators probing the deaths of student-athletes Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili in Aurora province.

In a press briefing at Camp Crame, Morico said subpoenas had been issued to Baldwin and other members of the Ateneo coaching staff, directing them to appear before the CIDG on Thursday or Friday.

“Man up. Be man enough to face the investigation in the interest of justice and equity para doon sa dalawang (for the two) players, whom you call your brothers,” Morico said.

The CIDG earlier subpoenaed Baldwin, members of the coaching staff, and players who attended the activity as part of an investigation that is now looking into possible homicide or hazing charges.

Baldwin and at least three Ateneo officials, however, failed to personally appear before the CIDG on Monday and instead sent legal representatives.

“We are not denying the persons subpoenaed of the right to counsel or the right to be assisted by a counsel. They may assist their clients during the investigation, but to send merely their lawyers who are incompetent to provide accurate information precisely because they are absent in the area when the incident occurred will not help the resolution of this case,” Morico said.

“It will instead do injustice sa dalawang taong namatay (to the two people who died), which, as of now, hindi pa nalilibing (have yet to be buried),” he added.

Morico warned that the CIDG may seek contempt and obstruction of justice charges against those who fail to comply with the subpoenas.

Under Republic Act 10973, the Philippine National Police chief, CIDG director and deputy director are authorized to issue subpoenas during investigations. Failure to comply may result in an indirect contempt case before a Regional Trial Court.

Morico said Baldwin was also ordered to bring aerial drone footage taken during the June 8 team-building activity at a resort in Dipaculao where the two players drowned.

The CIDG chief maintained that investigators are not treating the deaths as accidental.

“As far as CIDG is concern, hindi ito aksidente (this is not an accident),” Morico said.

Based on statements gathered from former and current Ateneo players, Morico said the team-building activity was conducted about 700 meters away from the resort’s designated area.

He said participants were aware of the strong sea currents before the activity, and the bodies of Baterbonia and Adili were recovered about 300 meters from the resort after being swept away by the current.

The CIDG expects to interview and subpoena 48 individuals as part of the investigation. So far, affidavits from 17 individuals have been obtained.

Morico said psychologists and psychiatrists have been made available at CIDG headquarters to provide support to current players undergoing interviews.

This article is republished from PNA.