Rovelyn Baterbonia, mother of the late student-athlete Rene Baterbonia, admitted that she has yet to forgive Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) as she continues to seek answers over the tragedy that claimed her son’s life.
Rene was one of the Ateneo student-athletes who died in a drowning incident during a team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora, on June 8, 2026.
Appearing on the latest episode of ‘Toni Talks’ released Sunday, August 9, Rovelyn became emotional as she recalled what she described as the university’s lack of respect toward her son and their family following his death.
According to Rovelyn, one of the things that continues to hurt her was the alleged condition in which Rene’s remains were transported from Aurora.
“Kasi ma’am, ’pag may respeto ka sa kapuwa tao mo, ma’am, galing pa ’yong anak ko sa Aurora, hindi man lang nila binihisan. Hindi nila nilinisan,” she said.
She then used a painful analogy to describe how she felt her son had been treated.
“Tapos parang sinabi lang nila, ‘Uy, kunin mo ’yong baboy do’n na nakatay ko. Dalhin mo rito sa Arlington [Memorial Chapel]. Dito natin lalapain ’yan,’” Rovelyn continued.
She also claimed that when Rene was brought to Arlington Memorial Chapel, no representative from Ateneo or any of his teammates accompanied him.
“Tapos dinala nila ’yong anak ko sa Arlington, walang kasama. Walang Ateneo. Walang teammates na kasama na kahit convoy lang, ma’am. Wala talaga,” she said.
For the grieving mother, the circumstances surrounding the handling of her son’s remains remain difficult to understand months after the tragedy.
Rovelyn acknowledged that Ateneo had already apologized over what happened, but she said the apology could not immediately erase the pain she experienced while waiting for answers and what she perceived as disrespect toward their family.
Asked whether she had already forgiven the university, Rovelyn admitted she was not yet ready to do so.
“Wala nga silang respeto, ma’am. Papatawarin mo pa agad-agad? Respeto lang ’yong gusto kong kunin sa kanila,” she said.
“Hindi mo talaga mapapatawad agad-agad ’yong taong walang respeto sa ’yo,” she added.
Beyond an apology, Rovelyn said she continues to hope that the truth surrounding the circumstances of her son’s death will eventually be fully disclosed.
Her latest statements come as the Baterbonia family continues to seek clarity and accountability following the June tragedy.
Following the deaths of Rene and another student-athlete, Ateneo’s Board of Trustees ordered a fact-finding inquiry into the incident.
