SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go on Wednesday expressed his condolences to the families of Ateneo de Manila University student-athletes Rene Clert Baterbonia and Divine Adili, while calling for a full investigation into the drowning incident that claimed their lives during a team activity in Dipaculao, Aurora.

Go, who chairs the Senate Committee on Sports, said the tragedy underscores the need to prioritize the welfare and safety of student-athletes during training camps, travel, and other school-related activities.

The two members of the Ateneo Men’s Basketball Team died in a drowning incident on June 8 while participating in a team activity in Aurora.

In a statement, Go said the families of the victims, their teammates, and the wider sports community deserve clear answers on the circumstances surrounding the incident.

He urged concerned government agencies and sports organizations to conduct an immediate and comprehensive investigation to determine what happened and identify any lapses in safety protocols.

The senator stressed that beyond accountability, the probe should help strengthen safeguards designed to protect student-athletes in school-sponsored activities.

“Mahalaga para sa akin ang kaligtasan sa lahat ng training ng ating mga atleta at kabataang sports enthusiasts,” Go said, adding that lessons from the tragedy should lead to reforms aimed at preventing similar incidents in the future.

He also said he is prepared to support legislative or policy measures if gaps in existing safety standards are identified.

Go acknowledged the Philippine Sports Commission’s move to initiate discussions on the incident.

He noted that Baterbonia’s death has deeply resonated in Mindanao, where the 19-year-old was regarded as one of the region’s most promising basketball talents. Before joining Ateneo, he starred for Ateneo de Davao University and helped secure a historic gold medal for the Davao Region in the 2025 Palarong Pambansa, where he was named Most Valuable Player.

Go said Baterbonia’s story reflects the aspirations of many young athletes who see sports not only as competition, but also as a pathway to education, personal growth, and a better future for their families.

Meanwhile, Adili, a foreign student-athlete and center for the Ateneo Blue Eagles, was remembered by the Ateneo community for his contributions to the university’s basketball program.

As the families mourn the loss of the two athletes, Go underscored the need for stronger coordination among schools, sports organizations, and authorities to ensure the welfare and protection of student-athletes.

“A lost life is a lost life forever,” the senator said, as he offered prayers for the families and loved ones of Baterbonia and Adili.