The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) is set to file criminal complaints regarding the deaths of Ateneo Blue Eagles basketball players Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili during a team building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said on Wednesday, June 24, 2026.
Investigation Nearly Complete
In an interview with reporters at Camp Crame, Remulla stated that the CIDG investigation is nearly finished, and criminal charges are expected to be filed by Friday, June 26.
“Our investigation is almost done. It is quite conclusive. On Friday, we will submit it to the DOJ (Department of Justice) for filing of the case. Just wait for Friday for our final analysis, and we will explain to you what we found in this investigation,” he said.
“This investigation has been going on for the last two weeks. We interviewed almost a hundred people. Maybe 1,200 pages of testimony from those who were there, and we are almost complete. It is conclusive and we are very confident in the case buildup that the CIDG has, and you will see,” he added.
Boot Camp and Interviews
The CIDG interviewed current and former Ateneo players, coaches, and training staff who participated or were involved in what investigators described as a “boot camp” where the tragedy occurred on June 8.
Remulla said that Ateneo de Manila University President Fr. Roberto “Bobby” Yap and Vice President for Administration Fr. Nemesio Que, along with business tycoon Manny Pangilinan, chairman and trustee of the MVP Sports Foundation, are also expected to face the CIDG for interviews before the report is submitted to the DOJ.
Homicide or Hazing Possible
Earlier, CIDG Director Major General Robert Alexander Morico II stated that the deaths of the two new Ateneo Blue Eagles players were not accidental, and their investigation points to possible homicide or hazing charges.
He emphasized that the organizers of the activity were well aware of the sea conditions in the area, which were unsuitable especially for non-swimmers.
Morico also added that the training was conducted in a secluded area away from public view, when it could have been held in front of the hotel where the athletes were staying.
He said that the program planning and funding for the Ateneo Blue Eagles were managed by the MVP Sports Foundation, a claim strongly denied by the foundation, which stated that its role was limited to financial support.
Crime Scene Reconstruction
On June 23, the CIDG, together with the Forensic Group (FG), Aurora Police Provincial Office, Police Regional Office 3, and Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), went to the site to conduct a Crime Scene Reconstruction related to the drowning incident.
The main objectives of the reconstruction were to determine the exact sea conditions at the time of the incident, calculate the distance between the shore and the water line to assess the tide condition, determine where the victims were and where they were last seen by cross-referencing CCTV footage and testimonies from players, coaches, and witnesses, and measure how far the victims had gone and the exact water depth at that point.
The investigation team used Sonar (Sound Navigation and Ranging) to map the seabed and its depth, and a 3D scanner to obtain accurate spatial data of the shoreline and the incident area.
Additionally, investigators conducted a thorough safety audit to verify the presence of warning signage and necessary emergency safety measures along the beach area.
