FAMILY SEEKS ANSWERS DESPITE POLICE RULING ATENEO DROWNING INCIDENT AN ACCIDENT

DIPACULAO, Aurora — The family of one of the two Ateneo de Manila University students who drowned in Aurora is calling for a full investigation into the tragedy, even as police maintain that the incident was a purely accidental drowning.

The Aurora Police Provincial Office (PPO) on Tuesday said initial findings based on witness accounts and statements from the victims’ companions showed no indication of foul play in the deaths of Ateneo students Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili.

“So, based on the statements we gathered from their companions, this incident was purely an accident. It was a natural occurrence that was not expected, and as of now, we do not see any foul play in this incident,” Aurora PPO Acting Provincial Director Police Colonel Percival Pineda said.

The statement came amid growing public calls for accountability and transparency following the deaths of the two students during what has been described as a team training activity in the coastal town of Dipaculao.

However, questions continue to surround the circumstances of the incident.

Rovelyn Baterbonia, the mother of Rene Baterbonia, expressed deep grief and frustration over what she described as a lack of answers regarding her son’s death.

She raised concerns about why her son allegedly was not rescued in time and questioned reports that weights had been attached to his arms and feet while swimming. The grieving mother said she is seeking justice and a thorough investigation to establish exactly what transpired during the activity.

The family’s concerns have intensified discussions online, with many calling for a more detailed accounting of the events that led to the deaths of the two students.

Authorities have not publicly addressed the allegations regarding the reported use of weights during the activity. Police said investigations remain ongoing, although initial findings continue to point to an accidental drowning.

The deaths of Baterbonia and Adili have sparked widespread sympathy and renewed conversations about safety protocols, supervision, and accountability in physically demanding training activities involving students.

As investigations continue, the victims’ families are hoping that a clearer picture of what happened will emerge, even as authorities maintain that no evidence of foul play has been established so far.