DILG Pushes Anti-Hazing Charges Over Fatal Ateneo Sea Training
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) today announced that the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) has completed its investigation into the deaths of two Ateneo men’s basketball players during a seawater training activity in Aurora and recommended the filing of charges under Republic Act No. 11053, or the Anti-Hazing Act of 2018.
Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said the investigation found that 11 members of the Ateneo coaching staff, including Team Head Coach Tab Baldwin, may be held liable after investigators determined they were allegedly aware of the risks associated with the planned seawater training but still allowed the activity to proceed.
Remulla explained that the Anti-Hazing Act covers forceful physical exercises, exposure to dangerous environments or extreme weather conditions, and other acts that inflict physical or psychological suffering as a requirement for continued membership or participation in an organization.
“Nakaplano na ang seawater training nila. Alam nila na pwedeng merong mangyari kasi tinanong nila ang mga players kung sinong hindi marunong lumangoy. Lima ang nagsabi na hindi marunong,” he said.
He added that testimonies showed Baldwin allegedly instructed the athletes on how to respond to rip currents after learning that five of the 20 players could not swim. According to Remulla, the organizers’ knowledge of the athletes’ limited swimming abilities, despite allowing the activity to proceed, formed part of the basis for recommending charges under the Anti-Hazing Act.
The CIDG has transmitted its findings and recommendations to the Department of Justice (DOJ) for preliminary investigation and determination of probable cause.
Remulla said the incident should serve as a warning to schools, sports organizations, and other institutions that training and team-building activities must never compromise the safety and rights of participants.
“Hindi lang ito tungkol sa training or hazing, ito’y tungkol rin sa mga karapatan ng mga manlalaro,” he stated.
“Ito rin po sana ay maging leksyon para sa lahat ng mga organisasyon na ang gantong klase ng bagay ay hindi pwedeng daanin na lamang sa tradisyon. Hazing is not only initiation. Hazing can occur in any organization,” he added.