The Society of Jesus in the Philippines has acknowledged that “more could have been done” in handling and communicating the deaths of two members of the Ateneo de Manila men’s basketball team, amid continuing grief and criticism over the tragedy.
In a statement dated June 12, Jesuit Provincial Fr. Xavier Olin said Ateneo institutions had responded to the incident and supported the victims’ families, but the Jesuits recognized concerns raised by stakeholders.
“All this notwithstanding, when we listen to the gut reactions of grief and anger coming from so many, we humbly acknowledge more could have been done in the way the tragedy has been dealt with and communicated,” Olin said.
The statement referred to the deaths of Ateneo de Manila University sophomore Divine Adili and Rene Baterbonia, who had studied at Ateneo de Davao University before being recruited by Ateneo de Manila.
“We knew them and we grieve their untimely deaths,” Olin said. “We also knew their families and friends, especially Rene’s. We can only imagine the heartache they are going through these days.”
The Jesuit superior said the Society of Jesus was “heartbroken” over the loss and pledged prayers and support for the families.
Olin cited efforts already undertaken by Ateneo officials, including an internal investigation ordered by Ateneo de Manila University President Fr. Roberto Yap, S.J., and outreach initiatives extended to the victims’ families.
According to the statement, Yap met with the mother of one of the students upon her arrival in Manila and provided regular public updates.
Ateneo de Davao University President Fr. Karel San Juan, S.J., contacted Baterbonia’s family and dispatched his former high school coaches to Manila to accompany them. Baterbonia’s remains were later brought to Ateneo de Davao University.
The Jesuit provincial said recent reactions from alumni and members of the wider Ateneo community had served as a reminder of Ignatian values such as cura personalis or care for the individual person, compassion, social justice, truth, accountability and solidarity.
“We are grateful for these reminders and for the call to greater fidelity whenever we fall short,” he said.
Olin said he had conferred with Ateneo de Manila leaders on how the university and the Jesuit community could better embody the values they teach, particularly in responding to the incident.
Invoking the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which the Church celebrated on June 12, Olin assured the public that the Jesuits would “exert everything in our power to do what is right, what is just, and what is loving” for the two students and their families.
The statement was issued as Ateneo communities across the country continued to mourn the deaths of Adili and Baterbonia and to seek accountability and reforms in the wake of the tragedy.
