Philippine recommend anti-hazing charges for Baldwin, staff

Philippine authorities have recommended filing criminal charges under the Anti-Hazing Act against former Ateneo de Manila University men's basketball head coach Tab Baldwin and ten other members of the team's coaching and support staff. The recommendation follows a nearly three-week investigation into the drowning deaths of student-athletes Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili during a team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora, on June 8.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) announced the findings on Friday, June 26. Officials stated that the seawater training session, which occurred around 2:30 p.m. during high tide, constituted hazing under the expanded definition of Republic Act No. 11053. The law now covers acts inflicting physical or psychological suffering as a prerequisite for continuing membership in an organization, including forced calisthenics and exposure to weather.

DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla said the investigation, involving 320 hours of interviews with about 60 respondents, determined the activity was used to determine which players would make the team's final roster for the upcoming University...