Mas malakas na proteksyon sa mga student-athletes, panawagan ng mambabatas

NAGPAABOT ng pakikiramay si Pinoy Workers Party-list Rep. Karl Fernandez Legazpi sa pamilya ng dalawang Ateneo de Manila University student-athletes na nasawi sa isang team-building activity sa Aurora. Nananawagan din ang mambabatas ng congressional investigation para rebyuhin ang safety measures na nagbibigay proteksyon sa mga atleta.

“I extend my deepest condolences to the families, friends, and the entire Ateneo community following the tragic deaths of student-athletes Divine Adili and Rene Clert Baterbonia during a team-building activity in Aurora,” ani Legazpi.

Inihayag nito na maghahain siya ng resolusyon na humihikayat sa House Committee on Youth and Sports Development na magsagawa ng imbestigasyon sa kakulangan sa mga kasalukuyang polisiya, safety standards, at accountability mechanisms para sa mga school-sponsored athletic programs, upang mapalakas ang proteksyon sa mga student-athletes.

“These young athletes had promising futures ahead of them. Beyond their talents on the court, they were sons, students, teammates, and individuals whose lives were filled with potential. Their untimely passing is a heartbreaking loss not only to their families and school, but also to Philippine sports,” dagdag nito.

Sinabi pa ni Legazpi na ang trahedya ay magsisilbing paaala na ang mga sports programs ay dapat na magbibigay prayoridad sa kalagayan at proteksyon ng mga young athletes kasabay ng kanilang athletic development.

“The goal is not merely to determine the circumstances of this particular tragedy, but to ensure that no other family has to endure the same loss. If this tragedy can happen in one of the country’s most respected educational institutions, then it is incumbent upon us to examine whether sufficient protections exist for student-athletes nationwide,” ani Legazpi. 

“We owe it to Divine and Rene, and to every young Filipino athlete, to learn from this loss and pursue meaningful reforms.”

(Vina de Guzman)