Ateneo de Manila University released an official statement following the recent guest appearance of Rovelyn Baterbonia in a podcast. In their official website, the University has publicly shared that they are ready to meet them.
Rovelyn shared in an interview with internet personality Toni Gonzaga how devastating it was for her family and they remain in pursuit of justice for their son, Rene, who passed away two months ago in Aurora during a team building activity.
In their statement, the Ateneo empathized with the grieving family and maintained how heartbreaking it is to witness. They added how they’ve been respecting their privacy as well and have continued to remain in touch not only with the Baterbonia family but also Divine Adili’s family as well.
“Since the tragic loss of Rene and Divine last June 8, we have continued our efforts to provide support to their families and loved ones, much of it quietly out of respect for their privacy and their need to grieve in the way they know best,” they shared in a statement.
“We have made every earnest effort to remain in touch with both the Baterbonia and Adili families, while respecting the wishes and circumstances of each family, and continue to do so to this day,” they added.
The University recalled that the University President, Fr. Bobby Yap, personally met with Rovelyn during the wake of Rene in Manila. He offered his condolences and apologies while assuring her that Ateneo is ready to extend their help.
“Fr Bobby visited the wake several times, and the same offer of support was conveyed to the family at different occasions by other members of our community.”
READ: BB Gandanghari explains why she was at the funeral of Rene Baterbonia
As the Baterbonia family brought Rene back home in Agusan del Sur, the University claimed that they continued to respect the space that the family asked from them but have continuously requested to meet them–– something that they claimed hasn’t been answered.
“In the weeks that followed, the family asked us to afford them the space they needed as they prepared for the commemoration of the 40th day of Rene’s death. We respected their request. Since then, we have repeated our request to meet with them but, so far, have not been given a chance to do so,” Ateneo said in their statement.
As the podcast interview of Rovelyn goes viral on social media, the University is hopeful that they could meet them to provide anything that they may need–– from support to answers.
“We take this opportunity to reach out once again to the Baterbonia family, this time publicly, in the hope that we can finally sit down with them again, listen to them, provide the answers we can, and extend whatever care or support they may need, as we continue to do for other members of our community who have been affected.”
“We remain here for them, whenever they are ready,” the statement ended.
Rovelyn and the rest of the Baterbonia family have yet to respond as of writing.