Manila: Ateneo de Manila University men's basketball team coach Tab Baldwin failed to appear before the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) on Monday in connection with the investigation into the deaths of two college basketball players in Aurora province. In a chance interview outside the CIDG headquarters at Camp Crame, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said only Ateneo Athletics Office head Em Fernandez appeared before the investigators.
According to Philippines News Agency, aside from Baldwin, team manager Epok Quimpo also did not personally attend the investigation, as noted by Remulla. "Magi-issue kami ng pangalawang subpoena on Friday para ma-clarify talaga namin lahat (We will issue a second subpoena on Friday so we can really clarify everything). As of now, again, it is a fact-finding mission. A second absence will warrant a contempt of court," Remulla stated. "Again, I have to repeat it is a fact-finding mission, not fault-finding," he added.
Republic Act 10973 grants the chief of the Philippine National Police, as well as the CIDG director and deputy director, the authority to issue subpoenas during investigations. "Failure to comply with subpoena and subpoena duces tecum shall authorize the filing of a case for indirect contempt under the Rules of Court with the Regional Trial Court," the law states.
A team of lawyers seen entering the CIDG headquarters at around 9 a.m. and leaving shortly before 10 a.m. did not speak to the media. CIDG personnel also barred members of the media from approaching the headquarters. The two fatalities, Divine Adili and Rene Baterbonia, both members of the Ateneo de Manila University men's basketball team, reportedly drowned during a team-building activity at a resort in Dipaculao, Aurora on June 8.
In a press briefing, CIDG chief Maj. Gen. Robert Morico II said that they will also issue subpoenas to officials of Smart Communications in their investigation. Morico said based on information from the university's athletics office, the Ateneo men's basketball team is autonomous and independently run by a foundation. "The program planning and the funding [is being] handled by the foundation which is Smart Communications," Morico said.
He added that investigators are also examining allegations that the two victims, who were newcomers to the team, may have been subjected to activities that could fall within the scope of the Anti-Hazing Act. While the investigation remains ongoing, Morico said initial findings point to the coaching staff, particularly Baldwin as the team's head coach, as central figures in the inquiry.
Baldwin has been given 10 days to submit a verified answer and supporting documents regarding the hearing set by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on his working permit verification later this month. Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino said a formal hearing has been set on June 29 regarding the verification of his work permit. "After June 25, we shall be having a formal hearing on June 29 in accordance with the law and we are adhering to it," he said in an interview after the initial hearing with Baldwin's counsel Janella Flordeliza on Monday at the DOLE main office in Intramuros.
During the initial hearing, Baldwin's camp submitted his Alien Certificate of Registration (ACR), which establishes his status as a legal resident in the Philippines. However, Tolentino noted that an ACR does not automatically authorize a foreign national to work in the country. "They didn't present the Alien Employment Permit because Baldwin is not with them right now. In their verified answer, all these will be cleared," said Tolentino. The coach did not personally attend due to health concerns. "Coach Tab Baldwin did not attend because he requested to be given a time to rest. His lawyer appeared instead," he said.
