FAMILY members, friends, and supporters gathered on Wednesday, June 24, to bid farewell to Ateneo de Manila University basketball player Rene Clert “Bobet” Baterbonia, who was laid to rest in his hometown of Talacogon, Agusan del Sur.

The funeral rites began with a Mass at the Talacogon Municipal Gymnasium, where loved ones and members of the community paid their final respects before the young athlete was brought to his final resting place.

Among those who attended the service were Senator Robin Padilla and his sibling, BB Gandanghari, who personally offered their sympathies to the grieving family.

An emotional moment unfolded during the ceremony when Baterbonia’s mother, Rovelyn, addressed those present. Fighting back tears, she thanked everyone who had extended support, prayers, and compassion to her son and their family during one of the most difficult periods of their lives.

Baterbonia was interred at the newly opened Talacogon Municipal Memorial Park, becoming the first individual to be buried at the facility.

The burial took place more than two weeks after the 18-year-old athlete died in a drowning incident during a team-building activity involving the Ateneo men’s basketball team in Dipaculao, Aurora, on June 8.

His teammate, 21-year-old Nigerian student-athlete Divine Adili, also lost his life in the tragedy.

The deaths of the two players have prompted widespread calls for accountability and a thorough investigation. Authorities continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident as family members and supporters seek answers over what led to the fatal accident.