Vince Mangulabnan is no longer among those recommended to face criminal liability in connection with the deaths of Ateneo men’s basketball players Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili during a “team-building” activity in Dipaculao, Aurora on June 8.

Mangulabnan had initially been included in the negligence complaint due to his role in booking the transportation that brought the Ateneo men’s basketball team to Aurora for the activity.

However, in the final recommendation, investigators removed Mangulabnan from the list of respondents after determining that his participation was limited to logistical arrangements and did not extend to the planning, supervision, or execution of the fatal water-resistance drill.

Instead, authorities recommended criminal charges against 12 individuals, with the coaching staff facing the most serious allegations.

Eight members of the basketball program were recommended to be charged with reckless imprudence resulting in two counts of homicide.

They are head coach Tab Baldwin, strength and conditioning coaches CJ Elumba and Grant Dearns, assistant coaches Jon Jacinto, Dean Castaño, Sandro Soriano, and Buboy Domingo, as well as physical therapist Jeric Rueca.

According to the findings, Baldwin allegedly conceived and directed the sea drill despite selecting an open, surf-exposed area and knowing that one of the participants could not swim.

Investigators said the activity proceeded without life vests, lifeguards, or medical and rescue personnel on standby, creating a foreseeable danger that ultimately led to the deaths.

Elumba and Dearns were cited for designing and conducting the conditioning program that culminated in the sea drill without implementing adequate safety measures.

The assistant coaches were likewise recommended for charges after allegedly participating in supervising and conducting the activity without requiring flotation devices or stopping the drill despite the risks.

Rueca, the team’s physical therapist and the only first aid and Basic Life Support-certified health officer present, was also recommended for prosecution.

Investigators said he failed to ensure appropriate medical and evacuation preparations before the activity took place.

Meanwhile, four individuals were recommended to face simple negligence resulting in two counts of homicide.

Among them is University Athletics Office director Em Fernandez, who investigators said failed to establish and enforce institutional athlete-safety protocols, including the absence of an approved activity calendar, medical clearances, and participant consent forms.

Also recommended for charges were Hermanos Resort owners Francisco and Frederick Zubia and co-manager Yedda Rubio.

Investigators said Francisco Zubia allegedly assured organizers that sea conditions were favorable based on an artificial intelligence application instead of obtaining information from competent authorities.

The resort management was likewise cited for allegedly failing to provide accredited lifeguards, proper warning signage, and other safety measures required under local regulations.

Beyond the criminal recommendations, investigators also referred several officials of the Municipality of Dipaculao to the Department of the Interior and Local Government for possible administrative liability over alleged lapses in regulating the resort and enforcing beach safety standards.

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Maji Mangulabnan spoke on behalf of her family after her brother, Vince, was named as a respondent in the reckless imprudence resulting in homicide cases stemming from the deaths of Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili.

On Thursday, the Philippine National Police–Criminal Investigation and Detection Group released a supplemental referral recommending additional charges on top of the alleged violations of the Anti-Hazing Law in connection with Ateneo de Manila University’s “team-building” activity in Dipaculao, Aurora, last June 8, which resulted in the deaths of the two Blue Eagles.

A homicide charge was also recommended against head coach Tab Baldwin.

Assistant coaches Dean Castaño, Sandro Soriano, and Jon Jacinto; strength and conditioning coaches Grant Dearns and CJ Elumba; and physical therapist Jerick Rueca were likewise recommended to face reckless imprudence resulting in homicide charges before the Department of Justice.

Meanwhile, Ateneo University Athletics Office director Em Fernandez and facilitator Vince Mangulabnan were also recommended to face reckless imprudence resulting in homicide charges.

Maji expressed frustration over her brother’s inclusion in the case.

According to multiple sources closely monitoring the situation, Vince — who, aside from serving as head coach of the Ateneo Men’s Volleyball Team, also works for the UAO — was only tasked by the men’s basketball office to book the team’s bus to Aurora.

“Yes, we will not be silenced,” Maji wrote in a social media post.

“While the investigation is still ongoing, ADMU’s failure to stand by someone who was simply doing his job is already causing irreversible damage to his career, his reputation, and his family’s future. Are you even real, ADMU? Is this really how you stand by the people who tirelessly work for you? May maituro lang talaga noh?”

Earlier in the investigation, Fernandez said that, unlike other athletic programs, the men’s basketball team operates autonomously from the UAO.

The PNP-CIDG is expected to transmit its findings to the DOJ in the coming days.

For now, the Mangulabnan family can only hope for a fair resolution.

“I will not forgive any slander against my brother!”

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Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla admitted he was heartbroken over the inclusion of Ateneo de Manila University student-managers Paolo Adevoso and Andrew Salud, along with utility staff members Aris Pronce and Boy Rapa, among the 11 individuals recommended by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group to face charges under the Anti-Hazing Act in connection with the drowning incident in Dipaculao, Aurora that claimed the lives of Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili.

In an interview with ANC’s Dateline Philippines on Friday, Remulla said the four were included because of the provisions of the law governing hazing cases.

“That’s the painful part of the law, and it really breaks my heart,” he expressed.

“Everyone who was present and did not object to what was happening is considered part of the conspiracy under the Anti-Hazing Law.”

Section 14 of Republic Act No. 11053 states that “the penalty of reclusion temporal in its maximum period and a fine of one million pesos (₱1,000,000.00) shall be imposed upon all persons who are present in the conduct of the hazing.”

The Blue Eagles’ “team activity” in Dipaculao, Aurora was classified as an initiation after, according to Remulla, interim Ateneo head coach Louie Alas testified that “it is not a basketball-specific activity, but it was intended to determine the condition and mental toughness of the players.”

Following the activity, three players were to be cut from the team, leaving 17 players to comprise Ateneo’s UAAP lineup.

Under the same law, hazing is defined as “any act that results in physical or psychological suffering, harm, or injury inflicted on a recruit, neophyte, applicant, or member as part of an initiation rite or practice made as a prerequisite for admission or a requirement for continuing membership in a fraternity, sorority, or organization including, but not limited to paddling, whipping, beating, branding, forced calisthenics, exposure to the weather, forced consumption of any food, liquor, beverage, drug or other substance, or any other brutal treatment or forced physical activity which is likely to adversely affect the physical and psychological health of such recruit, neophyte, applicant, or member. This shall also include any activity, intentionally made or otherwise, by one person alone or acting with others, that tends to humiliate or embarrass, degrade, abuse, or endanger, by requiring a recruit, neophyte, applicant, or member to do menial, silly, or foolish tasks.”

“In the eyes of the law, they are essentially the same. Many people think hazing only occurs during fraternity initiations,” said Remulla.

“However, the Revised Anti-Hazing Act of 2018 states that any initiation, application, or continued membership in any organization or club is covered by the law. In this case, the Ateneo basketball team is considered an organization.”

As for the two student-managers and two utility staff members, Remulla expressed hope that the Department of Justice, headed by his brother, Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla, would carefully determine their level of liability.

“I hope the Department of Justice exercises greater discernment in determining who is truly culpable. But for the integrity of the investigation and in accordance with the law, we had to identify everyone who was present and recommend them accordingly. The law states that anyone who was present and failed to object may be held liable,” said Remulla.

“Ultimately, the Department of Justice is in the best position to determine who should be prosecuted and who has a reasonable likelihood of conviction.”

On Friday evening, Ateneo de Manila University released a statement expressing its support for the four respondents and their families, saying it would stand by them throughout the legal process.

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