The investigation into the deaths of Ateneo de Manila University basketball players Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili has expanded further, with the Philippine National Police–Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP–CIDG) confirming that 48 individuals have now been subpoenaed as authorities seek to reconstruct what happened during a training activity in Aurora province.
CIDG director Maj. Gen. Robert Morico II said Wednesday that the subpoenas form part of a broader fact-finding effort that includes interviews with players, coaching staff, and other individuals connected to the team’s shoreline training exercise in Dipaculao.
“We are expecting to interview and subpoena 48 persons,” Morico said in a briefing at Camp Crame.
Baterbonia and Adili died after reportedly being swept by strong currents during a water-based exercise earlier this month, an incident that has since prompted parallel investigations by law enforcement and education authorities.
Morico confirmed that those summoned include members of the Ateneo men’s basketball program, including athletes and coaching personnel who were present during the activity, as well as officials linked to the school and its support network.
He, however, refused to disclose identities, saying the move is intended to preserve the integrity of ongoing interviews.
“I 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 said.
Authorities earlier flagged the possibility that the case could involve homicide or hazing-related violations, though CIDG stressed that no conclusions have been reached and the probe remains in its early stages.
At least 17 players have already been interviewed, while school officials have also started cooperating with investigators, Morico said.
The CIDG added that all individuals being questioned have been advised to secure legal counsel as statements are formally documented.
