By CHRIS V. PANGANIBAN
TALACOGON, Agusan del Sur — Rene Clert “Bobet” Baterbonia, the Ateneo student-athlete whose death during a team activity in Aurora province stirred national grief and calls for accountability, was laid to rest on Wednesday morning at the new Labnig Public Cemetery here, 16 days after the June 8 incident that also claimed the life of fellow athlete Divine Adili.
As Baterbonia’s casket was placed in an above-ground tomb, his mother, Rovelyn, broke down and called for justice for her son. “Ayaw gayud sila pakatulga. Tungod lang kay pobre kita, dili sila mangayo og pasaylo kanato?” she said in Cebuano, her voice heavy with grief. “Do not let them sleep. Is it because we are poor that they will not even apologize to us?”
Aurora police initially treated the deaths of Baterbonia and Adili as a drowning incident, saying early accounts showed no indication of foul play. Police officials said Baterbonia’s post-mortem finding showed “asphyxia by drowning,” while witness, lifeguard and responder accounts indicated that the athletes were swept into deeper waters by strong waves or current during a team activity in Dipaculao.
Authorities also said they had no initial evidence that ankle weights or foreign objects were attached to the victims, although investigators continued to look into possible negligence and supervision lapses.
The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group later took a sharper view of the case, saying its initial findings suggested the deaths were “not an accident.” CIDG officials said the activity reportedly took place hundreds of meters from the resort despite strong sea conditions, raising questions on why the athletes were brought into the water and who was responsible for safety decisions.
The CIDG said it was gathering testimonies, issuing subpoenas and looking into possible homicide or hazing angles, shifting the probe from a presumed drowning accident to a wider accountability inquiry.
Sandy Totor, a municipal government department head, estimated that at least 5,000 people joined the burial, with mourners arriving in more than a hundred vehicles from different parts of the country. He said the final vigil at the municipal gym drew around 3,000 people.
Jhong Boston, station manager of Sky FM, said he met a group of mourners who had traveled from Parañaque just to attend the burial.
Two buses from Ateneo de Davao University also arrived, carrying students who joined the family and the Talacogon community in paying their last respects.
Among those who visited the wake were Barangay Ginebra guard Scottie Thompson and Sen. Robinhood “Robin” Padilla, the actor-politician, who came with his sister, BB Gandanghari, formerly known as Rustom Padilla. Padilla and Gandanghari attended the final vigil and the burial.
Police Lt. Col. Jorge Cariño, ground commander at the cemetery, said the 12-hectare burial site was large enough to accommodate the crowd. Around 100 police personnel were deployed to secure the area.
During the burial program, Baterbonia was posthumously honored by the Department of Education and the provincial government of Agusan del Sur.
DepEd handed Rovelyn a certificate of recognition and a medal for Baterbonia’s achievement as a member of the mythical five in secondary boys’ basketball. The provincial government also awarded a certificate of commendation recognizing him as the most valuable player in the All-Star Governor’s Cup on July 12, 2024.
Earlier during the wake, the municipal government of Talacogon declared June 8 of every year as “Rene Clert ‘Bobet’ N. Baterbonia Day” in honor of the late athlete. Through Municipal Resolution No. 430-2026, the Sangguniang Bayan recognized Baterbonia as one of Talacogon’s most promising sons, citing his discipline, humility and achievements in basketball as a source of pride for the town.
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Agusan del Sur also honored him through Resolution No. 369-26, posthumously conferring on him the Datu Lipus Makapandong Award and recognizing him as an “Agsurnon Sports Icon.”
The provincial board likewise ordered the retirement of his jersey No. 2 in Governor’s Cup games and other basketball tournaments organized or sanctioned by the provincial government. It also directed that Baterbonia’s life and achievements be recorded in the province’s history.
Expressions of support also came in the form of financial, housing, educational and livelihood assistance for the family.
North Cotabato Gov. Emmylou “Lala” Taliño-Mendoza visited Baterbonia’s wake on June 21 and turned over P1 million in financial assistance to the bereaved family. Mendoza, accompanied by Vice Gov. Rochella Marie Taliño Taray, members of the provincial board and other local officials, paid her respects at the Talacogon Evacuation Center, where Baterbonia’s remains lay before the burial.
The governor’s office said Mendoza became emotional as she spoke with Rovelyn, who was still reeling from the sudden death of her son. Aside from offering prayers and condolences, Mendoza also helped fulfill one of Baterbonia’s final wishes: to donate computers to his former elementary school.
The family is also set to receive housing assistance from the National Housing Authority, Agusan del Sur Gov. Santiago Cane said.
In a statement, Cane said the NHA had contacted him on behalf of the Baterbonia family and informed him that, upon the directive of NHA General Manager Joeben Tai, a condominium unit at Madayaw Residences on Sierra Madre Road in Bangkal, Davao City, would be granted to the family.
Representatives from NHA Region XIII were expected to visit the Baterbonia family on Friday at 10 a.m. to formally inform them of the grant.
The Philippine Sports Commission also pledged P250,000 in financial assistance to the families of Baterbonia and Adili, while Ateneo de Davao University offered full scholarships from basic education to college for Baterbonia’s six siblings — a gesture school officials said would help fulfill one of the young athlete’s dreams for his family.
Private supporters also extended practical livelihood support. Strong Group Athletics founder Frank Lao was reported to have donated a motorcycle to Baterbonia’s father, while social media posts also credited the group with providing tricycle assistance to the family.
For Talacogon, the burial became more than a farewell. It was a public outpouring of grief for a young athlete whose rise from a modest family had inspired many, and whose death has left his family and supporters pressing for answers.
###
