The remains of Ateneo player Rene Clert Baterbonia were brought to the Christ the King Chapel at Ateneo de Davao University–Senior High School Bangkal Campus on Friday, where family, friends, teammates, and members of the Ateneo community gathered to pay their final respects.
A wake is being held at the chapel and will continue until June 15.
Afterward, Baterbonia’s remains will be transported to his home province of Agusan del Sur for burial.
According to the Davao City Police Office (DCPO), since the opening of the gates to the public, an estimated 3,000 individuals have already entered the venue. Admission of attendees remained ongoing, with long lines of mourners still waiting to enter the chapel and pay their respects.
The DCPO said personnel from Police Station 3 (Talomo) were deployed to the venue to ensure the safety and security of mourners.
The DCPO added that police personnel continue to manage crowd movement, maintain peace and order, and ensure the safety of all attendees throughout the wake.
Meanwhile, Vice President Sara Duterte expressed sadness over the death of Baterbonia and raised concerns about Ateneo’s response to the incident, saying the family deserved greater support and clearer communication from the school.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, Duterte said the loss of a young athlete was deeply tragic.
“Unang-una nakakalungkot na ganun ‘yung nangyari sa isang estudyante, sa isang promising na athlete natin sa bansa.
Pakiramdam ko kulang na kulang iyong response ng Ateneo sa nangyari. Hindi lang kay Rene, doon din sa isang foreigner na player din ng Ateneo na namatay. Dapat kasi sa mga ganyan na mga panahon ay nauuna ‘yung pag-reach out nila sa pamilya at pagpapaintindi sa pamilya kung ano ‘yung nangyari at ano ‘yung mga kailangan nilang gawin… the family and the school. So pakiramdam ko ay malaki ang pagkukulang ng paaralan sa pagbigay ng support sa pamilya. Lalong-lalo na hindi ito ordinaryong pangyayari. Ito ay pagkamatay ng isang estudyante,” Duterte said.
Asked by a reporter whether she was joining calls for justice in the case, Duterte answered in the affirmative and said the circumstances surrounding the death could have legal implications.
“Of course, yes. Oo. As a lawyer, actionable ‘yung nangyari para sa akin. Hindi ko na lang gatungan ‘yung pamilya kasi alam mo, mahirap ‘yung pinagdadaanan nila ngayon. Iniisip pa nila ‘yung grief na pinagdadaanan nila, ‘yung araw-araw magigising ka na wala na ‘yung anak mo. So ayoko gatungan pero dapat sila… pagkatapos ng lahat ng kanilang kailangang gawin para sa burol at pagpapalibing ng kanilang anak, ay umupo sila at mag-isip kung ano yung dapat gawin nila para mabigyan ng hustisya ang kanilang anak,” she said.
Duterte’s remarks came amid calls from supporters and members of the community for a full accounting of the circumstances surrounding Baterbonia’s death.
She emphasized the importance of supporting the grieving family while ensuring that questions about the incident are properly addressed.
