MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Justice (DOJ) has issued an immigration lookout bulletin order (ILBO) against former Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) basketball coach Tab Baldwin in light of the probe into the untimely deaths of players Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili.

DOJ Acting Secretary Fredderick Vida announced the issuance of an ILBO against Baldwin on Wednesday, June 17. Apart from the former coach, the following were also placed under immigration lookout:

• Christopher Quimpo, former team manager

• Reynaldo Jacinto Jr., assistant coach 

• Dean Castaño, assistant coach 

• Sandro Soriano, assistant coach

An ILBO, however, is only used to monitor the movements of a person.

It cannot prevent Baldwin from leaving the country since only a precautionary hold departure order (PHDO) or hold departure order (HDO) can do that. A PHDO may be issued if the complaint is at the preliminary investigation stage or nearing conclusion, while an HDO is possible if the case is already with the court.

“The investigation remains ongoing, and the department stands ready to undertake its mandate once a complaint is formally filed,” Vida told reporters during a briefing.

“We ask the public to allow our law enforcement agencies to do their work and to refrain from speculation while the evidence is being gathered and assessed,” he added.

Baterbonia and Adili died from drowning during a team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora, on June 8. Central Luzon police said the two players were carried by a strong current while swimming. 

Although the police initially said they found no indication of foul play, the victims’ families, especially Baterbonia’s mother Rovelyn, are seeking more concrete details surrounding the players’ tragic fate. 

A week after the incident, Baldwin and Quimpo stepped down from their posts. 

Several government entities, including the National Bureau of Investigation and the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), are probing the incident. 

The CIDG held a fact-finding mission on Monday in Camp Crame, but Baldwin failed to appear. 

As of writing, a formal complaint has yet to be filed with the DOJ because the investigation is still ongoing. – Rappler.com