Manila, June 10 -- The Department of Justice (DOJ) has directed the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to investigate the drowning of Ateneo basketball players Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili in Dipaculao, Aurora, on June 8.

"The NBI Central Office has been instructed to create a task force to conduct a thorough, comprehensive, and impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident," the DOJ said in a statement on Wednesday.

The DOJ said the NBI will determine whether there is sufficient basis to recommend filing charges with the DOJ.

"The DOJ remains committed to ensuring that the facts are fully established and that justice is served," the statement read.

Baterbonia, 19, and Adili, 21, drowned during a Blu...