Former Perpetual Help Star Launches Online Fundraiser for Adili Family Tragedy

A mother’s deepest heartbreak. A promising life cut tragically short. Algerian Divine Adili left Nigeria for a brighter future on the courts of Ateneo, only to be taken away in a moment of preventable tragedy. No mother should ever have to bury her son from across the sea. We stand with the Adili family in their grief and their relentless fight for truth and justice.

Former Perpetual Help Star Launches Online Fundraiser for Adili Family Tragedy

By Bing Jabadan – TheNATIONWEEK.com | June 17, 2026

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine sports community is engulfed in profound grief and a unified demand for accountability following the tragic drowning deaths of Ateneo de Manila University center Divine Adili, a Nigerian national, and incoming rookie Rene Baterbonia. The incident occurred during a team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora, on June 8, leaving a devastating void and raising urgent questions.

In a powerful demonstration of solidarity, Eze Prince Nnamdi, a distinguished former basketball standout from the University of Perpetual Help, has launched a critical fundraising campaign to support the bereaved family of Divine Adili. This initiative not only offers tangible aid but also intensifies scrutiny on the safety protocols and institutional responsibility surrounding the tragedy.

Rene Baterbonia’s passing has sent shockwaves through the community. Widely seen as a beacon of hope for underprivileged youth, he embodied the transformative power of sports, inspiring many through his dedication and promise.

For Divine Adili, the tragedy is compounded by a heartbreaking distance. His parents, residing in Nigeria, are currently unable to travel to the Philippines to claim their eldest son’s remains due to severe financial constraints. Beyond the immense grief, Divine’s father, Elias Adili, has voiced profound concerns regarding the safety measures and critical decisions that led to the fatal outing. He emphasized that Divine was not only his family’s pride but also their primary source of financial support.

Social media tributes have starkly highlighted the solemn reality of Adili’s wake: “No Mother. No Father. No Family Beside His Coffin. Only a Handful of Friends and Just Silence.” Divine pursued his dreams in the Philippines with relentless dedication and immense potential, only for his life to be tragically cut short, thousands of miles from home.

Online campaigns resonate with a unified plea for justice: “Divine deserves our prayers, our compassion, and justice. We demand the truth for Divine Adili. Every life matters. Every son matters. Every family deserves answers.”

DOLE Probe Continues Despite Baldwin’s Resignation

Adding another layer to the unfolding crisis, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is actively pursuing its investigation into potential Alien Employment Permit (AEP) violations involving former Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin. Labor Secretary Francis N. Tolentino unequivocally stated that Baldwin’s recent resignation will not impede the ongoing inquiry.

“We are scrutinizing an incident that transpired on June 8, focusing on the pre-existing employee-employer relationship during that period, rather than the prospective aspect of his resignation,” Secretary Tolentino clarified, underscoring the thoroughness of the regulatory process.

The confluence of regulatory scrutiny, widespread public outrage, and profound sorrow has placed Ateneo de Manila University at a defining crossroads. The untimely deaths of Adili and Baterbonia have ignited a vital national conversation about accountability, ethical leadership, and core institutional values. The university’s comprehensive response in this critical moment will undeniably shape its future trajectory and legacy.

AID FOR THE ADILI FAMILY

Those wishing to extend vital financial support may send donations to the following account:  

• MARIBANK 
• Account Name: Eze Prince Nnamdi  
• Account Number: 19880999707  
• Contact: Eze Prince Nnamdi on Facebook

Your assistance will directly contribute to supporting Divine Adili’s family and siblings, whom he faithfully supported throughout his life.

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