Ateneo de Manila University has issued a firm condemnation of the predatory misinformation campaigns currently circulating online following the tragic deaths of two student-athletes, Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili. The university expressed deep distress over the “painful” and “baseless” rumors being directed at members of its men’s basketball team, emphasizing that these reckless actions have caused unnecessary suffering for the grieving families and the broader campus community.
In a formal statement, the administration characterized these online attacks as “hurtful” and “dangerous,” noting that they unfairly target not only the student-athletes but also the faculty, staff, and students associated with the program. The school made it clear that it considers these actions a direct infringement on the well-being of its community, promising to exhaust all necessary resources to ensure those targeted are shielded from further harassment.
The university administration has warned that it will not hesitate to pursue legal action against individuals identified as the sources of these malicious rumors. By taking this stance, Ateneo aims to establish a boundary against the spread of digital toxicity while the institution attempts to navigate the emotional weight of its current tragedy. They have explicitly stated that the safety and protection of their community members remain their highest priority.
To facilitate a coordinated response, the university has established a dedicated reporting channel, urging anyone who witnesses incidents of harassment or the spread of misinformation to contact them at [email protected]. Officials emphasized that timely reporting is essential for the school to take swift action. Additionally, the university is doubling down on its internal support systems, making campus ministers and professional counselors available to offer continuous emotional and psychological assistance to the affected families and team members.
The community is currently observing a 40-day mourning period to honor the memory of Baterbonia and Adili, who tragically lost their lives on June 8. The pair were swept away by a rip current during a team-building excursion at a resort in Dipaculao, Aurora. In the wake of the incident, the university has appealed for public discourse to remain civil, fact-based, and compassionate, stressing that the spread of hate and threats will not be tolerated while the school attempts to heal.
Despite the inflammatory online rhetoric, official findings appear to clear the team of any criminal wrongdoing. The Aurora police have officially ruled the drowning an accident, a conclusion supported by preliminary investigations from the National Bureau of Investigation, the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit, the Philippine Sports Commission, and the Commission on Higher Education. To date, these agencies have found no evidence of foul play, even as formal investigations into the incident remain ongoing.