THE UAAP has banned coaches of the Ateneo Blue Eagles from all league activities pending the outcome of all relevant investigations into the Aurora drowning incident that led to the deaths of players Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili.
The UAAP Board of Trustees made the decision based on the recommendation of its Board of Managing Directors, saying it is intended to "preserve the integrity of the ongoing inquiry and to ensure full transparency and due process as facts surrounding the incident are being carefully examined."
The ban is limited to coaches who were with former head coach Tab Baldwin during the ill-fated training camp in Dipaculao, Aurora.
Ateneo has already accepted the resignation of team manager Epok Quimpo and Baldwin, who on Friday appeared before the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in Camp Crame along with other members of his staff.
Although the UAAP didn't mention names, the other members of Baldwin's staff are Jon Jacinto, Sandro Soriano, Dean Castano.
The UAAP board said the coaches are "prohibited from participating in any UAAP-related activities, in any capacity, effective immediately" while investigations are being conducted by concerned government agencies, Ateneo's own independent fact-finding body, and the league's own officials.
The UAAP also set July 15 deadline for the submission of the official findings of Ateneo regarding the incident.
"Amidst differing and clashing perceptions on this tragic incident, the UAAP, as a collegial body, is committed to adhere to its own governing rules and processes, where the acts of a Member-University and personalities involved will be thoroughly evaluated by the other member schools before passing judgment," the league said in a statement.
"The UAAP reiterates that accountability shall be determined based on the results of a thorough and impartial investigation and its fidelity to its own rules and regulations. All those found responsible for any wrongdoing shall be held fully accountable under league regulations.
"Above all, the UAAP extends its deepest sympathies to the bereaved parties and calls for justice, truth, and dignity for those who lost their lives in the incident. Their memories will be honored with the commitment to further protect our student-athletes so that such tragedy will never happen again.
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