Lawyer of Ateneo basketball coach dismisses hazing, homicide in deaths of Rene Baterbonia, Divine Adili

The lawyer of one of the coaches of the Ateneo Blue Eagles men’s basketball team on Tuesday denied that there was hazing or homicide involved in the deaths of two student-athletes during a team building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora.

According to Marisol Abdurahman’s report in “24 Oras”, the lawyer of Reynaldo Jacinto, who has been part of the basketball team for 20 years, pointed out to the National Bureau Investigation (NBI) that what happened to Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili was unintentional and an accident.

“Hindi hazing ‘yan. Wala namang... first, part na ng team ‘yan and that's not the condition of the team. It’s just training, exercise, camaraderie walang torture. Homicide? no, it's an accident,” said lawyer Pelagio Cuison.

When asked if he thinks the exercises given were excessive, Cuison said: “Actually, it doesn’t consider it as excessive. It’s just simple running, burpees, normal.”

Meanwhile, Ateneo player EK Kapihe said that he stands with his team.

“I stand with my Ateneo men’s basketball team. We mourn our fallen brothers, Divine and Rene. Will carry them for the rest of our lives,” he said.

“He’s not in good condition to appear….He’s okay po,” said Karl David, Baldwin’s lawyer.

Further, while they take allegations of Baldwin’s wife seriously, the lawyer said: “We prefer to focus for now sa subject matter ng ongoing investigation.”

On the other hand, assistant coach Sandro Soriano was represented by his lawyer who said his client was reportedly undergoing counseling.

“He is in emotional distress now. He is undergoing sessions at the Ateneo of Guidance and Counselling. He’s not going anywhere, in fact, he wants to face all these and give his side, ” said lawyer Raymond Rojas.

The lawyers of the Ateneo basketball team coaches gave various reasons for failing to appear at the NBI today, but they reportedly promised to return with their clients, who they assured would cooperate with the ongoing probe by authorities.

In connection with the statement made by Baldwin's wife, the administration of Ateneo de Manila University earlier said that they have not received any complaints or warnings regarding student security at the school.

“Nor was there anyone asked to be silent about this. However, we are not dismissing these serious allegations. We will not shield or protect anyone, nor will we allow our integrity to be compromised,” said university president Fr. Roberto Yap. —Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA News