Ateneo de Manila University accepts the resignations of men’s basketball head coach Tab Baldwin and team manager Christopher “Epok” Quimpo after the deaths of players Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili during a team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora, on June 8. Sources report that Ateneo initially placed Baldwin and Quimpo on leave and later barred Baldwin from making public statements while the school begins a fact-finding inquiry. Baldwin later apologizes publicly, including a statement in which he says he failed as a leader and friend and expresses taking responsibility to the school community and the families of the deceased players.
The investigations also continue outside the university. The National Bureau of Investigation is examining the circumstances of the drowning, and Baldwin is scheduled to appear before the NBI after he previously failed to comply with a subpoena. Separately, the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group issues additional subpoenas for Baldwin and other coaching staff. Reports also say UAAP bars coaching staff who were present in Aurora at the time of the incident from attending UAAP activities during the period in question.
