Senator Bong Go expressed his condolences to the families, loved ones, friends, teammates, coaches, and members of the Philippine basketball community following the tragic deaths of Rene Clert Baterbonia and Divine Adili, two student-athletes of the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) men’s basketball team.
Baterbonia, 19, and Adili, 21, died in a drowning incident during a team activity of the ADMU men’s basketball team in Dipaculao, Aurora on Monday, June 8.
“Ako ay lubos na nakikiramay sa mga naulilang pamilya at mga mahal sa buhay nina Rene Clert Baterbonia at Divine Adili, na nasawi sa kasagsagan ng kanilang basketball training sa Dipaculao, Aurora noong Lunes, Hunyo 8,” Go said.
The veteran legislator said the loss is deeply painful, especially as someone who has long understood the discipline, sacrifice, and camaraderie that come with sports.
“Bilang isang atleta at basketball player mula pa noong aking kabataan, masakit para sa akin ang pangyayaring ito.”
“Bilang isang atleta at basketball player mula pa noong aking kabataan, masakit para sa akin ang pangyayaring ito,” the seasoned lawmaker said.
The senator stressed the tragedy must be fully examined, stressing that the families of the victims and the sports community deserve clarity on the circumstances surrounding their deaths.
“Bilang Chairman ng Senate Committee on Sports, nananawagan ako sa mga kaukulang ahensya ng gobyerno at mga organisasyon na magsagawa ng agarang at kumpletong imbestigasyon upang matukoy ang tunay na nangyari,” he stated.
“Maraming katanungan ang kailangang sagutin upang makamit ang buong katotohanan.”
“Maraming katanungan ang kailangang sagutin upang makamit ang buong katotohanan. Kaisa ako sa paghahangad na malaman ang lahat ng katotohanan,” Go added.
He also recognized the initial action taken by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) in response to the incident.
“Kaugnay nito, kinikilala natin ang inisyatibo ng Philippine Sports Commission na magsagawa ng agarang pagpupulong hinggil sa insidenteng ito,” Go said.
He also noted that Baterbonia’s story carries a personal weight for Davao and Mindanao. Before joining ADMU, Baterbonia was a standout from Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU), where the young athlete helped give Davao Region a historic gold medal in the Palarong Pambansa 2025 and earned Most Valuable Player (MVP) honors.
Baterbonia, a 6-foot-4 young athlete from Talacogon, Agusan del Sur, was among the most promising basketball prospects from Mindanao. His move to Manila and commitment to ADMU carried a clear purpose beyond basketball: to improve himself, continue his studies, and help his family.
In an earlier interview, the athlete said, “Matalungan ko yung pamilya ko at mag-improve ako sa skills ko at sa acads.”
In tributes shared after his death, one of his former coaches also recalled Baterbonia’s words before leaving Davao: “Coach, dili sa ko mubalik mga five years sa Davao kay gusto nako pag madato ko, maahon nako akong pamilya sa ka pobre.” (“Coach, hindi muna ako babalik sa Davao nang mga limang taon dahil gusto kong yumaman para maiahon ko ang pamilya ko sa kahirapan.”)
For Go, Baterbonia’s journey reflected the dreams of many young Filipino athletes from the provinces who see sports as a path to education, discipline, opportunity, and a better life for their families.
“Sa huli, muli kong ipinapaabot ang aking taos-pusong pakikiramay sa mga pamilya ng mga biktima, lalo na sa pamilya ni Rene Clert Baterbonia bilang kapwa ko Mindanaoan. Nakausap ko na rin ang ina ni Rene na si Ma’am Rovelyn Baterbonia at nagpaabot na rin ako ng tulong sa pamilya nila,” he said.
Adili, meanwhile, was a foreign student-athlete and center for the Ateneo Blue Eagles. He played for ADMU in University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 and was remembered by the Ateneo community as part of its men’s basketball program.
Go said the deaths of Baterbonia and Adili must lead to stronger safeguards for athletes, especially during training, travel, and team activities.
“Mahalaga para sa akin ang kaligtasan sa lahat ng training ng ating mga atleta at kabataang sports enthusiasts. Anuman ang kalalabasan ng imbestigasyon, hangad nating magresulta ito ng mahahalagang aral upang maiwasan ang pag-uulit ng ganitong trahedya. Kung kinakailangan ng batas o polisiya para maiwasan ito, handa natin itong tugunan sa Senado,” he stressed.
Go emphasized the gravity of the loss, saying, “Indeed, a lost life is a lost life forever.”
He ended his message with prayers for the bereaved families as they grieve the deaths of the two young athletes.
“Nawa’y bigyan sila ng Panginoon ng lakas at ginhawa sa gitna ng matinding dalamhati,” Go concluded.
