Members of the Ateneo men’s basketball team were allegedly warned about sea conditions before a drowning incident in Aurora that killed two players, police said on Wednesday, June 10.
Colonel Percival Pineda, Aurora police director, said the group had moved about 300 meters away from the resort and ‘asked to be alone’ during their team-building activity at the Hermanos Leisure Farm and Surf Camp in Barangay Lipit, Dipaculao.
‘The place they went to walk by the coastline was far from the resort front, around 300 meters. But the resort owner said it was safe in front of them and their lifeguard was there,’ Pineda said in a teleconference briefing in Camp Crame.
He added that the group declined supervision during the activity.
‘They asked not to be disturbed in their activity. When they left, that’s when the incident happened,’ he said.
Based on accounts from the resort owner, the team had been advised on sea conditions and safety measures were in place, including a lifeguard stationed at the resort front, Pineda said.
However, the group allegedly conducted a waist-deep water activity parallel to the shore, where four members were swept by a current at around 2:40 p.m. on Monday.
Pineda said Ateneo men’s basketball player Rene Clert Baterbonia, 19, Nigerian import Chukwuemeka Divine Adili, 21, and two others were found about 30 to 40 minutes later after they were swept by a current.
They were given first aid at the scene before being rushed to a medical facility, where Baterbonia and Adili were later declared dead.
Pineda said the resort had safety signage and measures in place but noted that the group did not coordinate with the local government unit.
‘Based on our conversation with the resort owner, the team’s activity was exclusive,’ he said. ‘They did not coordinate with the local government unit regarding their training.’
Authorities have ruled out foul play based on statements from the resort owner, lifeguard, coaching staff, and municipal disaster risk reduction and management personnel.
Separate investigations are being conducted by the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and the National Bureau of Investigation to determine the circumstances of the incident.
Nigeria’s response. The Nigerian Embassy in Manila said it has been coordinating with Adili’s family, Ateneo de Manila University and authorities following the incident.
In a statement posted on Facebook, the embassy said Adili’s family has requested an autopsy before arrangements for his repatriation to Nigeria are finalized.
It added that Adili was among three student-athletes caught in a strong sea current during the activity, with one survivor.
A post-mortem examination certificate on Baterbonia showed he died of asphyxia due to drowning, while authorities have yet to receive Adili’s death certificate.