DOJ names Tab Baldwin, several others as respondents in Baterbonia, Adili deaths

September 3, 2026

By ABOGADO.COM.PH Staff

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has identified former Ateneo men’s basketball coach Tab Baldwin and several others as respondents in the investigation into the deaths of student-athletes Rene Clert Baterbonia and Divine Adili.

Justice Undersecretary Ian Norman Dato said the respondents are now undergoing a regular preliminary investigation with the first hearing held Monday and the submission of counter-affidavits set for Sept. 15.

Those facing charges of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide are Thomas Anthony Baldwin, Grant Dearns, Dean Caesar B. Castaño, Sandro Nicholas Soriano Romero, Reynaldo C. Jacinto Jr., John Eric Quiambao Rueca, Ceasar Vincent Javellana Elumba, Emmanuel Toribio Fernandez, Vincent Raphael M. Mangulabnan.

The cases stemmed from the June 8 drowning deaths of Baterbonia and Adili during a team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora.

Dato clarified that the anti-hazing charge could not be considered dismissed because no complaint was docketed.

He said the evidence presented by the PNP met the standard for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide.

The offense is bailable, Dato said, as it carries a penalty of not more than six years.#

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