Bong Go files Senate resolution honoring Rene Baterbonia, Divine Adili after tragic deaths of Ateneo student-athletes

The resolution honors the two young athletes whose lives reflected dedication, discipline, and promise in Philippine sports.

The measure states that on June 8, members of the Ateneo de Manila University Men’s Basketball Team were participating in a team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora, when a tragic incident resulted in the deaths of Baterbonia and Adili. Ateneo earlier confirmed that the two student-athletes died following a drowning incident during the activity. 

In his manifestation before the Senate on Wednesday, June 17, Go said he wanted the chamber to formally recognize the loss suffered by the families of the two athletes.

“Mr. President, I would like to associate myself with the earlier manifestation of Senator Bam Aquino,” Go said.

“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,” he added.

As reflected in the resolution, Divine Adili, 21, was a member of the Ateneo Blue Eagles roster in UAAP Season 88, while Rene Clert Baterbonia, 19, had recently represented Davao in the 2026 Palarong Pambansa in Agusan del Sur and was set to join the Ateneo Blue Eagles lineup for UAAP Season 89.

Go said the tragedy was deeply personal to him, noting his own background as a Mindanaoan and longtime basketball player.

“Bilang isang Mindanaoan, atleta at basketball player mula pa noong aking kabataan, masakit para sa akin ang pangyayaring ito,” he said.

“I filed Senate Resolution No. 449 expressing  the profound sympathy and condolences of the Senate to the family of the athletes. Personal din po tayong nakiramay sa kanilang pamilya,” he added.

Go also emphasized that the resolution should be accompanied by a search for truth and accountability, saying the circumstances of the tragedy must be fully established.

“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 said.

“Maraming katanungan ang kailangang sagutin upang makamit ang buong katotohanan. Kaisa ako sa paghahangad na malaman ang lahat ng katotohanan,” he added.

Go said the Senate must help ensure that the deaths of Baterbonia and Adili lead to reforms that will protect athletes during training, team-building activities, and other school-sanctioned events.

“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 said.

“Indeed, a lost life is a lost life forever,” he added.

Go again extended his condolences to the families of both student-athletes, particularly to Baterbonia’s family, whom he personally reached out to.

“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,” Go said.

“Nawa’y bigyan sila ng Panginoon ng lakas at ginhawa sa gitna ng matinding dalamhati,” he added.