Almost a month after being banned from the UAAP indefinitely, resigned UST head coach Aldin Ayo was cleared by a Sorsogon City police report of any violation of the government’s health protocols.
Ayo was not liable for any violation of health and travel guidelines set by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, according to the report dated Sept. 23, a copy of which was obtained by The Varsitarian.
“[T]here was no UST-sanctioned basketball team training conducted in the domicile of Mr. Aldin V. Ayo nor was there any prohibited basketball activities conducted by his guests outside of his residence and within the jurisdiction of the Province of Sorsogon,” it read.
The Tigers’ Sorsogon trip focused “farm training” through agricultural activities, including seminars on agricultural businesses, livelihood programs and tree-planting, the report said, refuting former team captain CJ Cansino’s allegation that players held team practice and 3-on-3 scrimmages.
“The actions performed by former UST head coach Aldin V. Ayo [were] in accordance with the health protocols… as per existing [IATF guidelines].”
The police report was certified by Sorsogon Gov. Francis Escudero.
Necessary documents secured
All individuals, including coaches, players and managers from the UST group were of legal age and had secured documents prior to their Sorsogon travel, according to the report.
These included consent waivers, certifications from respective local government units (LGUs) declaring the participants were not persons under monitoring, negative Covid-19 test results and travel passes issued by the Metro Manila PNP director.
Sorsogon’s city health office also okayed the Tigers’ trip.
‘Bubble’ was Covid-free
The report noted that under the joint administrative order (JAO) released by the Department of Health, Philippine Sports Commission and the Games and Amusements Board, intrazonal movement within “moderate-risk” or “low-risk” areas for the purpose of “health-enhancing physical activities” was considered essential travel.
While persons under the age of 21 were subject to strict home quarantine under the IATF’s omnibus guidelines, an exception was provided for those “accessing essential goods and services.”
The JAO also allowed interzonal movement as long as the participants secured the approval of the LGUs concerned and comply with existing laws and health guidelines.
Conduct of physical activities and sports was “highly encouraged” to be done within “areas of domicile.”
The police report concluded that no team practices were held within Ayo’s domicile and that all actions performed by Ayo “were in accordance with the health protocols and guidelines” released by the IATF.
“Because of their strict compliance with the government regulations and protocols, both national and local, they have maintained a Covid-free environment in their house and farm and all the players upon departure from Sorsogon have been certified… as Covid-symptom-free,” it read.
Trip voluntary
According to Ayo’s statement in the report, he came up with the idea to engage the Tigers in farm work after a parent asked him to take custody of an unnamed UST player after losing employment amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
Then director of the Institute of Physical Education and Athletics Fr. Janel Abogado, O.P. initially declined the Sorsogon trip.
UST eventually allowed Ayo to hold the activity but gave the instruction that no funding would be released and the activity would be “purely voluntary.”
Ayo resigned as UST head coach on Sept. 4. He was banned indefinitely from the UAAP for allegedly “endangering the health and well-being of the student-athletes under his charge when he conducted the training during a government-declared state of emergency.”
Eight players have left the Growling Tigers since the Sorsogon “bubble” issue unraveled.
