Sen. Kiko Pangilinan, di natuwa sa presscon ng Ateneo ukol kay Baterbonia, Adili
- Senator Kiko Pangilinan said he felt uncomfortable after watching Ateneo de Manila University’s latest press conference on the deaths of Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili
- The senator expressed sympathy for the grieving families and said the tragedy has deeply affected the entire Ateneo community
- Pangilinan compared the situation to the leadership response shown by AirAsia officials following a major aviation tragedy in 2014
- He said the Ateneo community can emerge stronger from the crisis but emphasized the need for compassionate and courageous leadership
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Senator Kiko Pangilinan has shared his thoughts on the recent developments surrounding the deaths of Ateneo de Manila University basketball players Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili, saying he felt uneasy after watching the university’s latest press briefing regarding the tragedy.
Source: Facebook
In a Facebook post, Pangilinan expressed concern about how the situation has been handled and said that, from his perspective as a viewer, some of the issues at the heart of the controversy still appear to be unresolved.
“I just watched the latest presscon of the Ateneo Management on the deaths of the two student athletes and felt uncomfortable as a viewer. Sadly, it seems a number of those in the briefing still don’t get it,” Pangilinan wrote.
The senator also reflected on his own connection to Ateneo, recalling that he had been part of the university’s academic community for several years.
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“I was part of the Ateneo Academic Community from 1993 to 2000 as a lecturer in the then Department of Management teaching Law subjects to Legal Management students,” he said.
Pangilinan noted that the deaths of Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili have caused tremendous pain not only to their families but also to members of the wider Ateneo community.
“This tragedy has caused so much pain for the Baterbonia and Adili families. It has likewise shaken and divided the Ateneo Academic community,” he added.
The senator then pointed to what he described as a useful example of crisis leadership, citing the response of AirAsia’s chief executive officer following a fatal plane crash in Indonesia in 2014.
“In contrast to how the Ateneo top management handled the tragic deaths of 2 of their athletes, it would be quite instructional to take a look at Air Asia CEO’s response to a tragic airplane crash in Indonesia in 2014,” Pangilinan said.
While critical of certain aspects of the university’s response, Pangilinan emphasized that he continues to mourn alongside the families affected by the tragedy and remains hopeful about the future of the Ateneo community.
“We mourn the loss of Rene and Divine and condole with their families,” he wrote.
The senator also expressed confidence that the university community would eventually recover from the difficult chapter, provided that strong and compassionate leadership is present.
“I trust and have faith that the Ateneo Academic Community will emerge stronger after this tragedy but it requires compassionate, daring and spirited leadership to provide meaningful direction and to provide support for the families of the deceased, and to see the community I was once part of, through the storm,” he added.
In recent days, university officials, athletes, alumni, public figures, and supporters have continued to share tributes and statements as the Ateneo community seeks answers while mourning the loss of two promising student-athletes.
The passing of Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili has left a profound impact on the Philippine basketball community, with messages of grief and remembrance continuing to come from athletes, coaches, alumni, students, and supporters both locally and internationally. Alongside these tributes, many sectors have urged authorities to conduct a comprehensive investigation to determine the full circumstances behind the tragedy and identify measures that could help prevent similar incidents in the future.
Earlier, the UAAP released an official statement reaffirming its commitment to pursuing truth, accountability, and justice following the deaths of Ateneo basketball players Rene Clert Baterbonia and Divine Adili during a team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora. The league stated that it would carefully review the findings of ongoing investigations and take appropriate action based on the results.
Previously, the Ateneo Blue Eagles head coach and team manager officially stepped down from their positions. Their resignations were confirmed during a June 15, 2026 press conference by , who announced that the university had accepted their decisions as the institution continues to address the aftermath of the tragedy.
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Source: KAMI.com.gh
