MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has issued a show-cause order to Ateneo de Manila University after it allegedly failed to provide requested information on the June 8 drowning of student-athletes Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili.

Baterbonia, 18, and Adili, 21, drowned during a team-building activity of the men’s basketball team in Dipaculao, Aurora. The rip currents also endangered several other players.

In a statement on Tuesday, June 23, the CHED said it issued the order on June 16, or a week after the commission directed Ateneo to submit an incident report, a certificate of compliance with CHED Memorandum Order (CMO) No. 63 (s. 2017), and the documents required under Article V of CMO No. 6 (s. 2026).

CMO No. 63 (s. 2017) refers to the guidelines on off-campus activities. Article V of CMO No. 6 (s. 2026), or the commission’s anti-hazing policy, is about the guidelines on initiation rites of student organizations.

The CHED said it made “repeated requests” for the submission of the documents, but despite follow-ups, Ateneo “failed to provide the required records and information.”

“CHED cannot allow matters involving the loss of student lives and questions of institutional accountability to remain unaddressed,” the commission said. “Higher education institutions are expected to cooperate fully with regulatory processes, particularly in incidents involving student safety and welfare.”

The CHED required Ateneo to submit a written explanation under oath within 10 days from receipt of the show-cause order. 

Ateneo will have to explain why the CHED should not impose sanctions against it for alleged violations of guidelines on the conduct of off-campus activities, the anti-hazing policy, and its alleged failure to exercise reasonable supervision over its students.

“CHED remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting student welfare and upholding standards across the higher education sector,” the commission said.  

“Institutions entrusted with the care of students must comply with all laws, regulations, and safety requirements, especially in the conduct of off-campus activities,” it added.

The UAAP has barred from the league resigned head coach Tab Baldwin and other Ateneo coaching staff present during the team-building activity pending investigations.

Baldwin is under an immigration lookout bulletin order, which is only used to monitor the movements of a person.

Baterbonia’s remains were brought to his hometown of Talacogon, Agusan del Sur, on June 16. He will be laid to rest on Wednesday, June 24.

The remains of Adili were repatriated to Nigeria on Monday, June 22. – Rappler.com