Photo courtesy: Daily Tribune
(Editorial)
THE tragic deaths of Ateneo de Manila University basketball players Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili during a team‑building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora, have left the entire sports community and the public in deep grief.
What should have been a time for bonding, relaxation, and team strengthening turned into a fatal disaster when strong currents swept them away, despite the fact that the group was reportedly only walking in waist‑deep waters. As investigations by the Philippine National Police and the National Bureau of Investigation proceed to determine criminal negligence, the central question that weighs heavily on everyone’s mind remains: who is truly to blame for this preventable loss of young lives?
First, the responsibility falls heavily on the organizers and those tasked with supervising the activity. Team‑building events, especially for competitive sports teams, are standard practice, but they must always be planned with rigorous safety protocols, risk assessments, and clear guidelines.
Reports indicate that the group was roughly 300 meters away from the main resort area, in a section of the beach where conditions may have been unpredictable or unsafe. It raises serious concerns: were the organizers aware of sea conditions, tide schedules, or known hazards in that specific area? Were there designated lifeguards, safety officers, or trained personnel present to monitor the group and respond quickly in case of emergency? If proper safety measures were overlooked or disregarded, then those in charge of planning and supervision must be held accountable.
Second, the institution itself — Ateneo de Manila University and its athletics department — cannot be exempted from scrutiny. When an educational or sports entity authorizes or sponsors an off‑campus activity, it inherits the legal and moral duty to ensure the welfare of its students‑athletes. This means establishing clear policies, requiring qualified facilitators, and verifying that venues are safe and suitable. If the activity was outsourced or organized by third parties, the university still bears the obligation to oversee and approve the arrangements to guarantee compliance with safety standards. Any failure to enforce these safeguards, or a lack of clear guidelines governing off‑campus events, constitutes a lapse in duty of care that contributed to the tragedy.
Third, there is the question of local authorities and the establishment where the event took place. Beach resorts and recreational facilities are expected to maintain safe environments, provide necessary warnings about dangerous areas or weather conditions, and ensure that rescue equipment and trained personnel are available. While initial findings suggest no foul play, it is still essential to examine whether the resort properly marked unsafe zones, communicated current risks, or provided adequate assistance when the emergency occurred. Local government units also have a role in monitoring tourist areas, enforcing safety regulations, and disseminating information about weather or sea‑related hazards. Any gap in their oversight or compliance could have contributed to the fatal outcome.
Ultimately, assigning blame is not about finding a single culprit, but about identifying all points of failure so that such a tragedy never happens again. The investigation must thoroughly examine the actions — or inaction — of organizers, supervisors, the university, the resort management, and local authorities.
Under the law, negligence does not require intent to harm; it only requires a failure to exercise the care and caution that a reasonable person would have taken. Baterbonia and Adili were young, talented students with bright futures ahead of them. Holding the responsible parties accountable is the only way to honor their memory, deliver justice to their families, and ensure that safety becomes the absolute priority in every activity involving our youth.
