00:01The Ateneo de Manila University finally speaks up on the incident that killed two of its basketball players.
00:07In a statement three days after the death of Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili,
00:11the Ateneo categorically states,
00:13there were no weights of any kind used during the players' exercise.
00:16The university says the team was engaged in a conditioning exercise in knee-deep water near the shoreline
00:23when they were suddenly engulfed by massive waves and the powerful rip current.
00:27It says,
00:28While most of the players managed to fight their way back to safety, Rene and Divine were pulled away.
00:34We state categorically to protect the dignity of our fallen players that no weights of any kind were used during
00:40this exercise.
00:41The Ateneo also says the university's board of trustees mandated a fact-finding inquiry
00:46and that head coach Tab Baldwin and team manager Epo Kimpo have gone on leave
00:51to preserve the integrity, independence, and fairness of this investigation.
00:55Meantime, the Philippine Sports Commission urges Baldwin to come forward.
01:00PSC Chairman Patrick Gregorio says,
01:02Where is Tab Baldwin? Why is he still not speaking up?
01:06This is beyond Ateneo. This is a national concern.
01:09Out of respect for the family and the Filipino people, he has to come forward.
01:14Baldwin will also have to face employment issues as the Labor Department hands him a show-cause order
01:19for Monday, June 15, regarding his alien employment permit.
01:23Meanwhile, the National Bureau of Investigation says it will also investigate the deaths of the student athletes.
01:28The Aurora Police Provincial Office initially reported no signs of foul play,
01:33but the NBI says the absence of foul play does not resolve whether there is criminal liability from a lack
01:39of oversight or safety precautions.
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