By Benjamin Pulta
MANILA – The Department of Justice (DOJ) said Wednesday it has placed the men’s basketball team coaching staff of Ateneo under an immigration lookout bulletin order (ILBO) following the drowning of student-players Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili during a team-building in Dipaculalo, Aurora on June 8.
In a press briefing, DOJ Secretary Frederick Vida said the ILBO has been issued against resigned head coach Thomas Anthony “Tab” Baldwin, former team manager Christopher Quimpo, and assistant coaches Reynaldo Jacinto Jr., Dean Castaño, and Sandro Soriano.
“Let me emphasize that an ILBO is a monitoring mechanism. It is intended to alert authorities should the subjects attempt to travel abroad while the investigation is ongoing,” Vida said.
“It is not by itself a restriction on travel nor a finding of liability. The investigation remains ongoing, and the department stands ready to undertake its mandate once a complaint is formally filed,” he added.
Vida asked the public to allow the law enforcement agencies to do their work and to refrain from speculating “while the evidence is being gathered and assessed.”
Baldwin, Ateneo’s coach since 2016, and Quimpo have stepped down amid the investigations into the deaths of Baterbonia and Adili. (PNA)
