TALACOGON – Rovelyn Baterbonia has publicly condemned individuals who are selling merchandise related to her late son, 18-year-old basketball player Rene Clert Baterbonia, for personal financial gain.
The appeal comes as the family and the community mourn the loss of the athlete, whose death, alongside teammate Divine Adili, is currently the subject of an official investigation.
The statement, posted to Facebook on the evening of Wednesday, June 17, warns against the unauthorized sale of apparel and clarifies which items the family has sanctioned for distribution.
Authorization of Memorabilia
Baterbonia explicitly requested that the public cease the sale of T-shirts and jerseys utilizing her son’s likeness or memory. She noted that only a specific category of memorabilia is permitted, stressing that the family has not entered into any commercial partnership or licensing agreement for the use of Rene’s image.
“Good evening. I hope you can respect our request not to sell T-shirts or jerseys using the memories of my son, Rene Clert Baterbonia,” she stated in Cebuano.
The family has limited authorized sales to items that bear the athlete’s original signature and are directly released or verified by them.
“The only items I have authorized for sale are those bearing my original signature. Thank you. Please do not take advantage of this time or use my son’s memory for personal gain,” she added.
Under the Philippines’ intellectual property framework governing the commercial use of names and likenesses, unauthorized reproduction of an individual’s identity for profit may expose sellers to civil or administrative action, though families often still rely on public appeals and local authorities to curb opportunistic activity during periods of mourning.
Investigation into Tragic Deaths
The controversy over the merchandise coincides with an ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths of Rene Clert Baterbonia and Divine Adili, who drowned during a team activity in Aurora province earlier this month. The case has drawn attention from school authorities, local officials and sports bodies, who are under pressure to clarify safety protocols for student-athletes during off-campus activities.
The deaths of the two teammates have left the sporting community in shock, with Baterbonia expressing her desire for a fair legal resolution and accountability, should negligence be established.
Authorities are currently processing evidence and conducting inquiries to determine the cause of the fatalities, in line with standard procedures for sudden deaths under the jurisdiction of local law enforcement and the Department of Justice.
Tributes and Final Rites
The athletic community has recognized Baterbonia’s contributions to the sport, particularly his performance as the 2025 Palarong Pambansa MVP. The Palarong Pambansa is the Philippines’ premier national multi-sport event for student-athletes and a key pipeline for young talent into collegiate and professional programs.
Local residents in Agusan del Sur have organized tributes to honor the young player’s achievements, with local officials, school representatives and former teammates paying respects at public viewings and prayer services.
Key details regarding the final arrangements include:
- Burial Date: June 24, 2026
- Location: Talacogon, Agusan del Sur
- Honors: Hero’s welcome by local residents, including a community-led cortege and planned jersey-retirement rites at the town court
The investigation into the deaths of Baterbonia and Adili remains active as authorities await further forensic or witness findings, even as the family reiterates its call for the public to respect both the legal process and their request to keep Rene’s memory free from unauthorized commercial exploitation.
