Grant Dearns, the New Zealand strength and conditioning coach for the Ateneo Blue Eagles, departed the Philippines on June 10, two days after two student-athletes drowned during a training camp.
Dearns was among 11 individuals recommended for charges under the Anti-Hazing Act in connection with the deaths of Rene Clert Baterbonia and Divine Adili. The pair, members of Ateneo’s basketball team, drowned on June 8 in Aurora during a camp invited by former head coach Tab Baldwin.
A source confirmed Dearns left two days after the incident. In a June 19 podcast, he stated he had returned to New Zealand. Immigration spokesperson Dana Sandoval noted no lookout or hold-departure order had been issued against him.
The Philippine National Police’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group recommended filing charges against Baldwin, Dearns, and other staff. Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said the DOJ was urged to review Ateneo’s potential criminal liability.
