A video of Richard Gomez surfaced and went viral online.
Actor-politician Richard Gomez was caught on CCTV footage doing this to Philippine Fencing Association (PFA) President Rene Gacuma.
A video of PFA Director and Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) Vice President Richard Gomez and Philippine Fencing Association (PFA) President Rene Gacuma has surfaced online, and many people have reacted as to what the actor-politician has done.
Allegedly, Gomez physically and verbally abused Gacuma. This incident occurred at the fencing competition at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand. This was the same event where
Gomez bagged a silver medal in the sporting clays competition
Gacuma reported the incident that happened last Tuesday in a letter to the Philippines chef de mission, Raul Canlas. What happened was reportedly witnessed by the audience at the Fashion Mall, where the SEA Games fencing is being held.
“When I extended my right hand to congratulate Mr. Gomez, he planted his right foot on my left foot, squeezed my right thumb very hard and said, ‘Who gave you the authority to replace that athlete!? Na-take up ninyo ito sa Board Meeting in my presence?! P***ng n mo, Rene g**o ka!’”
Gacuma said in a letter addressed to the Philippine delegation chef de mission.
Allegedly, Gomez was upset when national athlete Alexa Larrazabal was replaced in the women’s individual epee event. Gacuma went on,
“I managed to release my left foot he was stepping on and as I turned my back on him to leave, he reached out to strike the back of my head (nape area) with what I felt was a hard closed-fist right hook.”
He alleged that even after he was taken to the medical station, Gomez confronted him again.
“While seated at the medical station and in the presence of the Thai medical volunteers, he literally capped my jawline forcefully with his right hand and said, ‘Di mo alam ang ginagawa mo!… Wala ka alam sa pagiging atleta! Sisipain kita diyan! Alam ko saan ka nakatira!”
Gacuma wrote.
Gacuma called for an urgent investigation into the incident, calling his actions unbecoming of a public official.