Author: Andre Sotelo

For more than a week after the deaths of student-athletes Divine Adili and Rene Baterbonia, the loudest criticism directed at Ateneo was not about what it said—but about what it did not.

As investigations into the June 8 drowning tragedy in Dipaculao, Aurora continued, the university largely remained out of the public spotlight. Beyond expressions of sympathy and brief updates, Ateneo offered little explanation while questions, frustrations, and speculation steadily grew.

On Monday, Ateneo president Fr. Roberto C. Yap, SJ finally addressed that silence.

Rather than framing it as an attempt to avoid scrutiny, Yap said the university deliberately chose a quieter path, believing public communication should not overshadow the grief of the families left behind.

“The few public updates were not because we did not care for the bereaved families. We believed, and continue to believe, that public relations and institutional noise should not intrude upon the families’ grief,” Yap said.

“We are truly sorry for not being quicker in informing the public of developments, which has led to perceptions of inaction. Our focus was on being present for the grieving families during their darkest hour.”

The statement offered the clearest explanation yet for a communication strategy that increasingly came under fire as days passed without substantial public updates from the university.

During that stretch, conversations surrounding the tragedy were shaped largely by family members, friends, former teammates, and observers searching for clarity on what happened during the team-building activity that ended in disaster.

Yap acknowledged that the university’s approach may have unintentionally fueled perceptions that Ateneo was inactive or withholding information. He stressed, however, that the institution’s restraint was heavily influenced by ongoing investigations and legal considerations.

“We ask for your understanding that while we want the truth to come out, the individuals who can shed light on the events of June 8 are also subjects of ongoing investigations by the authorities,” he said.

“We recognize that they have constitutional rights, and we intend to respect those rights. Therefore, we cannot speak on their behalf or compel them to speak at this time.”

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‘WE ARE TRULY, DEEPLY SORRY’

Fr. Roberto “Bobby” Yap, president of the Ateneo de Manila University apologized to the bereaved families of Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili, two Ateneo Men’s Basketball Team players who died of drowning during a deadly team-building activity at a… pic.twitter.com/rUQuhRPR8X

— GMA News (@gmanews) June 15, 2026

The Ateneo president also emphasized that the university’s decision to exercise its own legal rights should not be interpreted as resistance to accountability.

“Likewise, like everyone else, Ateneo is afforded certain rights under the law. If the university exercises those rights, it is not to delay or mislead, but simply because that is how our legal system works. If it’s eventually found that the university had shortcomings, please be assured that we will address them and make them right,” he added.

Still, the university’s explanation highlights a growing gap between institutional caution and public expectations.

In the days following the tragedy, concerns about communication became increasingly visible. Family members and individuals close to the victims publicly expressed frustration over the lack of information, while calls for transparency intensified.

Statements from Baterbonia’s mother, Rovelyn, and his former high school coach Jess Evangelio underscored how difficult it had become for some stakeholders to reconcile the university’s silence with the need for answers.

As public scrutiny mounted, Ateneo continued to defer key questions involving accountability, supervision, and decision-making to the ongoing investigations being conducted by authorities.

Yap maintained that while the university may not have spoken extensively in public, it had been actively assisting both families behind the scenes through financial and logistical support.

“While we chose not to immediately publicize our actions, our commitment on the ground was immediate and unwavering,” Yap said.

According to the university president, assistance included funeral-related expenses, travel arrangements, accommodations, and other forms of support provided to the families.

At the same time, Yap reiterated that available accounts gathered so far point to the incident being an accident, while recognizing that such a description offers little comfort to those who lost loved ones.

“So far, all available information and accounts regarding what happened on June 8 show that it was a tragic accident. However, we completely understand that for loved ones, the word ‘accident’ is never easy to accept.”

As investigations continue, Yap sought to reassure the public that the university is not attempting to distance itself from responsibility should shortcomings eventually be uncovered.

“The Ateneo de Manila is not evading accountability,” he said.

For now, Ateneo finds itself balancing two difficult realities: supporting grieving families behind closed doors while facing growing demands for transparency in one of the most painful moments in the university’s recent history.

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