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Hazing Questions Raised After Ateneo Tragedy
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Questions surrounding the deaths of Ateneo de Manila University recruits Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili continue to grow, with some legal and sports personalities suggesting that the incident should be examined through the lens of the country's Anti-Hazing Act.
In a Facebook post, lawyer Estrella Elamparo argued that the activity reportedly undertaken by the recruits may fall within the definition of hazing under Republic Act No. 11053, also known as the Anti-Hazing Act of 2018.
According to Elamparo, the reported ankle-weight swimming exercise appeared to be more than a routine athletic drill and may have been a requirement tied to continued membership in the basketball team.
“The Anti-Hazing Act expressly covers acts imposed as a condition for admission into or continued membership in an organization, and applies whenever participants are subjected to physical suffering, injury, or risk of harm as part of such requirement,” she wrote.
Elamparo further argued that the activity allegedly required participants to perform a dangerous endurance exercise that was unrelated to ordinary basketball training.
“The Ateneo Basketball Team recruits were allegedly compelled to undertake an inherently dangerous endurance exercise—swimming while weighed down by ankle weights—not as part of ordinary basketball training but as a test of fitness, discipline, or worthiness to remain on the team,” she said.
She added that the deaths of the two recruits raise serious concerns about whether the activity exceeded the limits of what could be considered a legitimate athletic exercise.
“The tragic deaths of two participants underscore the extreme physical danger of the activity and support the conclusion that it exceeded the bounds of a customary athletic event exempted under the law.”
Elamparo concluded by stating her belief that the circumstances described are sufficient to warrant consideration under the Anti-Hazing Act.
“Clearly, notwithstanding its characterization as a 'boot camp', the compulsory nature of the activity, its hazardous design, and its fatal consequences are enough to characterize it as hazing prohibited by RA 11053.”
Similar concerns were raised by veteran sports columnist Bill Velasco, who questioned the nature of the training program and called for greater accountability.
“This supposed training (more like hazing) has been going on for a decade. And we have yet to see the coach responsible publicly apologize. Perhaps the government should look into his behavior since arriving in our country,” Velasco wrote on Facebook.
The comments come as public discussion continues over the circumstances surrounding the incident in Aurora. While the Aurora Police Provincial Office has said its initial investigation found no signs of foul play, calls for further scrutiny and accountability remain ongoing.
As investigations continue, authorities and stakeholders are expected to examine whether existing safety protocols were followed and whether any laws or regulations may have been violated.
In a Facebook post, lawyer Estrella Elamparo argued that the activity reportedly undertaken by the recruits may fall within the definition of hazing under Republic Act No. 11053, also known as the Anti-Hazing Act of 2018.
According to Elamparo, the reported ankle-weight swimming exercise appeared to be more than a routine athletic drill and may have been a requirement tied to continued membership in the basketball team.
“The Anti-Hazing Act expressly covers acts imposed as a condition for admission into or continued membership in an organization, and applies whenever participants are subjected to physical suffering, injury, or risk of harm as part of such requirement,” she wrote.
Elamparo further argued that the activity allegedly required participants to perform a dangerous endurance exercise that was unrelated to ordinary basketball training.
“The Ateneo Basketball Team recruits were allegedly compelled to undertake an inherently dangerous endurance exercise—swimming while weighed down by ankle weights—not as part of ordinary basketball training but as a test of fitness, discipline, or worthiness to remain on the team,” she said.
She added that the deaths of the two recruits raise serious concerns about whether the activity exceeded the limits of what could be considered a legitimate athletic exercise.
“The tragic deaths of two participants underscore the extreme physical danger of the activity and support the conclusion that it exceeded the bounds of a customary athletic event exempted under the law.”
Elamparo concluded by stating her belief that the circumstances described are sufficient to warrant consideration under the Anti-Hazing Act.
“Clearly, notwithstanding its characterization as a 'boot camp', the compulsory nature of the activity, its hazardous design, and its fatal consequences are enough to characterize it as hazing prohibited by RA 11053.”
Similar concerns were raised by veteran sports columnist Bill Velasco, who questioned the nature of the training program and called for greater accountability.
“This supposed training (more like hazing) has been going on for a decade. And we have yet to see the coach responsible publicly apologize. Perhaps the government should look into his behavior since arriving in our country,” Velasco wrote on Facebook.
The comments come as public discussion continues over the circumstances surrounding the incident in Aurora. While the Aurora Police Provincial Office has said its initial investigation found no signs of foul play, calls for further scrutiny and accountability remain ongoing.
As investigations continue, authorities and stakeholders are expected to examine whether existing safety protocols were followed and whether any laws or regulations may have been violated.
Jun 9, 2026
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