MANILA — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) summoned Ateneo de Manila University men’s basketball head coach Tab Baldwin to appear before the agency on June 15 in connection with the deaths of two student-athletes during a team activity.

Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino said Baldwin was instructed to attend a 10 a.m. meeting on Monday to present his Alien Employment Permit (AEP) and related documents covering his coaching duties.

“Coach Baldwin must come before me on Monday, at 10:00 in the morning, personally to show his valid and current Alien Employment Permit (AEP) issued by this department authorizing him to serve as head coach of the Ateneo De Manila University Men’s Basketball Team, proof that the AEP covers the full scope of his coaching and supervisory activities, including off-campus training activities, such as this team building exercise in Aurora,” he said in a press briefing at the DOLE main office in Intramuros, Manila.

Tolentino also directed Baldwin to submit a written explanation regarding the June 8 team-building activity of the Ateneo men’s basketball team in Dipaculao, Aurora, including details on supervision arrangements, safety protocols, and the nature of the activity.

Student-athletes Rene Clert Baterbonia, 19, and Nigerian Divine Adili, 21, died on Monday after drowning during the activity.

Tolentino said DOLE is acting under Article 40 of the Labor Code, which allows the agency to examine the employment status of foreign nationals in the country.

“No foreign national working in this country is above the law regardless of their status, reputation or the institution they represent. Coach Baldwin is employed in the Philippines and is subject to Philippine labor laws,” Tolentino said.

“If he is compliant, there is nothing to fear. If he is not, then the department will act accordingly. This is not about persecution. This is about the rule of law.”

He added that failure to comply with the subpoena or any finding of unauthorized employment could lead to suspension or cancellation of Baldwin’s AEP, which is required for foreign workers in the Philippines.