Ateneo drowning not an accident, training site 700 metres from resort — CIDG

Cover image: CIDG Director Major General Robert Morico II

MANILA — The Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) revealed on 17 June 2026 that initial findings show the fatal drowning of two Ateneo de Manila University student-athletes in Aurora was not an accident.

During a press briefing at Camp Crame, CIDG Director Major General Robert Morico II disclosed that the tragic incident did not take place directly in front of the beach resort as previously reported, but was instead located around 300 to 700 metres away.

Student-athletes Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili died earlier this month after being swept away by strong currents during a shoreline training exercise in Dipaculao, Aurora. The Aurora Provincial Police Office had initially reported the incident occurred 300 metres from the establishment. Morico clarified that whilst the training occurred much further down the coast, the recovery effort took place closer to the resort because the victims were carried back by the waves.

When asked by reporters if the deaths could still be classified as accidental, Morico firmly stated that the current evidence points away from that conclusion. "Right now, no it's not [an accident]," he added. "As far as CIDG is concerned, hindi ito aksidente (this is not an accident)."

The student-athletes were reportedly conducting stationary jogging and walking exercises in the water to build leg strength. Morico noted that a podcast interview broadcast on 16 June 2026 by journalist Pia Hontiveros with surviving players Kieffer Alas and Sam Reyes—who also nearly drowned—corroborated the CIDG's spatial findings.

Morico cautioned that the podcast accounts currently represent hearsay until formal statements are secured. Investigators are still in the process of interviewing the remaining players and coaching staff before rendering final conclusions.

The CIDG is also looking into reports that four players in total experienced near-fatal drowning during the session, though the exact positions of all personnel in the water have yet to be mapped. Morico stressed that weather and tidal conditions at the time made the sea highly dangerous, particularly for non-swimmers, with Alas and Reyes describing waves taller than themselves.

The investigation is further examining training protocols after player Jared Bahay stated during a university town hall that the team stood in depths ranging from knee to waist-level. Morico questioned the methodology, noting that uneven water pressure distribution across individuals could have severely compromised athlete safety and failed to serve the legitimate intent of the training session.