Photo credit: Ateneo de Davao University

Lawyer Israelito Torreon, legal counsel for the family of the late Rene Baterbonia, claimed that he and several companions were denied entry to the final night of Baterbonia’s wake at the Ateneo de Davao University-Bangkal Campus.

According to Torreon, he had intended to personally verify reports circulating about the condition of Baterbonia’s remains, particularly claims that the body was already showing early signs of decomposition and emitting an unpleasant odor.

“I wanted to verify reports that there were already early signs of putrefaction and that the body had started to smell. I could not understand why that would happen so soon,” Torreon said.

He recounted that a large number of mourners were able to enter the venue, with people reportedly lining up from the nearby Flores Village all the way to the wake site. However, despite waiting for nearly an hour, Torreon said he and his group were not allowed inside.

Among those with him were lawyer Regal Oliva, a family friend identified as Sir Doods, his wife, and his children, including Karlo Torreon, a former president of the Ateneo de Davao Law Student Council, as well as his daughter Kish and several Atenean friends.

Torreon said a security guard informed them that the order allegedly came from a vice president of Ateneo de Davao University.

After waiting for an extended period without being granted entry, Torreon said they eventually decided to leave.

“It was embarrassing, so we just left,” he said.

As of posting, Ateneo de Davao University has yet to issue a statement regarding Torreon’s allegations.