Ex-Tall Blacks coach Tab Baldwin subpoenaed as he makes first appearance since player deaths

Filipino authorities have ordered former Tall Blacks coach Tab Baldwin to explain the circumstances behind the deaths of two college basketball players.

The Philippines Department of Labour has issued the American-Kiwi coach with a subpoena demanding a written explanation to shed light on the team-building exercise during which Ateneo Blue Eagles players, Divine Adili, 21, and Rene Baterbonia, 19, drowned in Dipaculao, Aurora, on Monday.

According to local reports, Labour Secretary Francis Tolentino has also ordered Baldwin to appear before him on June 15 to present proof of his work permit and to detail the nature of the fatal training, which past players have described as “hell” and a military-style “bootcamp”.

“No foreign national working in this country is above the law regardless of their status, reputation or the institution they represent,” Tolentino said. “The family of Rene and Divine deserves answers, and they deserve accountability.”

Baldwin made his first public appearance since the tragedy at a candlelight vigil held at the Ateneo de Manila University.

Baldwin, who has stayed silent since Monday’s tragedy, has been asked to refrain from making public statements, the university confirmed.

He has also been placed on leave by the university amid the ongoing investigations.

The deaths have rocked the Southeast Asian nation, with an outpouring of tributes and grief along with widespread calls for accountability from students, public figures and the general public.

Philippines President Ferdinand R. Marcos jnr has called for an “immediate investigation”, according to the Presidential Palace press office.

The university yesterday shed light on the team-building activity that resulted in the deaths of Adili and Baterbonia.

“The team was engaged in a knee-deep exercise near the shoreline when they were suddenly engulfed by massive waves and a powerful rip current,” it said.

“While most of the players managed to fight their way back to safety, Rene and Divine were pulled away.”

The university also addressed social media speculation that players were made to train with ankle weights in the sea.

“We state categorically, to protect the dignity of our fallen players, that no weights of any kind were used during the exercise.”

The Herald has approached Baldwin for comment.

Baldwin was appointed an Honorary Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2003 New Year Honours and was twice named coach of the year at the Halberg Awards.

He was inducted into the NZ Basketball Hall of Fame in 2023.