ILBO issued vs ex-Ateneo coach Baldwin

THE Department of Justice (DoJ) has issued an Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO) against former Ateneo men’s basketball coach Thomas Anthony “Tab” Baldwin amid investigations into the deaths of two student-athletes in Aurora.

Justice Secretary Fredderick A. Vida, during a DoJ press conference, said the ILBO covers Mr. Baldwin and four other officials, former Ateneo men’s basketball head coach, Christopher Quimpo, former team manager, and assistant coaches Reynaldo Jacinto, Jr., Dean Castaño, and Sandro Soriano.

This comes amid an ongoing DoJ probe into the June 8 drowning incident that killed Ateneo de Manila University men’s basketball players Rene Clert Baterbonia and Divine Adili during a team activity in Dipaculao, Aurora.

An ILBO is a monitoring mechanism that alerts immigration authorities if covered individuals attempt to leave the country while a probe is ongoing. The DoJ stressed that it is not a travel restriction and does not constitute a finding of liability.

The DoJ also urged the public to avoid speculation while the facts are still being established, underscoring that conclusions will only be drawn after evidence is fully assessed under due process.

Mr. Vida said the department remains ready to act once formal complaints are filed. “The department stands ready to undertake its mandate once a complaint is formally filed,” he said.

He also said the DoJ is looking into broader questions of accountability, including possible lapses by the institution involved. — Mark Joseph M. Sanchez