MANILA, Philippines— Ateneo de Manila University has disputed key portions of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group’s (CIDG) supplemental referral recommending criminal charges over the drowning deaths of two Blue Eagles basketball players, insisting that two officials from its University Athletics Office (UAO) were not present during the fatal team-building activity in Aurora Province.

In a statement released Thursday, the university said UAO head Emmanuel “Em” Fernandez and athletics office staff member Vince Mangulabnan did not participate in or supervise the June 8 activity in Dipaculao, Aurora, where student-athletes Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili drowned after being swept away by strong currents during a beach outing.

Ateneo said it “respectfully disagrees” with the CIDG’s conclusion that the University Athletics Office planned, organized, or carried out the team-building activity.

According to the university, the UAO’s role was limited to arranging transportation for the basketball team. It argued that coordinating logistics should not be construed as planning or supervising the event itself.

“Arranging transportation does not mean planning or supervising the activity itself. Neither UAO Head Emmanuel Fernandez nor UAO staff member Vince Mangulabnan was present in Dipaculao,” Ateneo said in its statement.

The clarification came after the CIDG submitted a supplemental referral recommending that former Ateneo Blue Eagles head coach Tab Baldwin and eight other individuals face charges of homicide and reckless imprudence resulting in homicide in connection with the tragedy. The recommendation also named Fernandez and Mangulabnan among those the CIDG believes should be investigated for their alleged roles in the incident. ([GMA Network][1])

Despite contesting the investigators’ findings, Ateneo reiterated its willingness to cooperate with the legal process.

“We remain confident that the legal process will establish the facts and clarify the respective roles and responsibilities of those involved,” the university said.

The university also reaffirmed its commitment to assisting members of its community who have been named in the CIDG referral while continuing to extend support to the families of Baterbonia and Adili, whose deaths shocked the Philippine collegiate sports community.

Investigators have been examining whether proper safety protocols were observed during the off-campus team-building activity. Police earlier said the two student-athletes were among four players who were swept away by powerful rip currents. Two survived after being rescued, while Baterbonia and Adili were later recovered lifeless.

The Department of Justice will determine, based on the CIDG’s referral, whether sufficient evidence exists to pursue criminal charges. Until then, the recommendation remains subject to prosecutorial review, and no court has found any of those named in the investigation criminally liable.