CHARGES of hazing are likely to be dropped against four respondents who were initially named by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) as accessories in the drowning deaths of two Ateneo players during the school's team building activity in Aurora province several weeks ago.
The DILG said it plans to amend the charge sheet and will likely withdraw student managers Paolo Adevoso and Drew Salud and team helpers Aris Pronce and Boy Rapa as respondents in the deaths of Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili, who drowned after being swept by strong under currents. The local police had ruled the deaths accidental.
READ DILG backtracks on charges vs Ateneo student managers, utilities
Several others are scheduled to be charged in court, among them head coach Tab Baldwin, strength and conditioning coaches Grant Dearns and Caesar Vincent Elumba, assistant coaches Dean Castano, Sandro Soriano, and Jon Jacinto, and physical therapist John Eric Rueca.
Baldwin, who has resigned as head coach and is known to have won for Ateneo four UAAP men's basketball championships during his term, is also facing inquiries from the Department of Labor which is looking into his work permit, being a foreigner employed by Ateneo. He holds dual American and New Zealand citizenship.
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Sec. Jonvic Remulla, in a press briefing on Monday, said his office will try to convince the student managers and helpers to turn state witness.
"Bagamat ito ang aming naging rekomendasyon, maaaring maalis sa listahan ng mga kakasuhan ang ilang mga kasama sa aktibidad lalo na kung mapakita na hindi nila alam ang masamang layon nito," he said.
"Maaari ring gawing testigo imbes na akusado ng Department of Justice ang mga student manager at ball boy."
The DOJ drew sharp criticism when even student managers and helpers who serve as ball boys were included in the rap sheet, arguing that these people had nothing to do with the training session that turned horribly tragic.
"Ang pinakamahalaga sa amin ay mapanagot ang mga nagplano at sinadyang pinahirapan ang student athletes," Remulla added.
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