Fencing president says he 'will never take an apology' from Richard Gomez after alleged assault
Philippine Fencing Association president Rene Gacuma says he will "never accept any apology" following the alleged physical and verbal assault by Leyte Rep. Richard Gomez during the 2025 Southeast Asian Games in Thailand.
In an interview with ABS-CBN News, Gacuma said, "I will never take an apology. I have written my report in the letter addressed to the Chef d’Mission of [the Philippine delegation to] the SEA Games." He added that this letter will be forwarded to the Ethics Committee of the Philippine Olympic Committee, where Gomez is a second vice president, and the House of Representatives.
Gacuma is also consulting with “private individuals” to do “what is necessary to protect my family," since Gomez allegedly said, “Alam ko sa’n ka nakatira.”
"When you're upset at someone, you can raise your voice. But the physical attack, that was uncalled for," Gacuma said.
Alleged assault
The incident started when Gomez, who is a PFA director, reportedly showed “clear resentment and anger” over the PFA’s decision to replace national athlete Alexa Larrazabal in the women's individual épée event.
In the letter, Gacuma recounted, “[Gomez] squeezed my right thumb very hard like he wanted to dislocate it and simultaneously said, ‘Who gave you the authority to replace that athlete!? Na-take up ninyo ito sa Board Meeting in my presence?! P******na mo, Rene! G**o ka!’”
The PFA president added that he initially approached Gomez, who is also in the SEA Games as a sporting clays athlete, to congratulate him on his recent silver medal. “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 said. The incident was caught on CCTV.
The confrontation happened on Dec. 16, two days after the PFA board’s decision. Larrazabal was replaced by Hannie Abella due to failure to submit travel documents, unresponsiveness, and absences from training.
Gomez, in an interview with One Balita Pilipinas on One PH, said Gacuma has a right to file a complaint, but he is planning to file his own. “'Yung number-one fencer ng women's PFA, si Alexa Larrazabal, the night before ng laban nila, bigla nilang tinanggal.”
“I am also filing a complaint for emotionally hurting my athlete. Atleta namin 'yan eh. Tinuruan namin eh. We spent money para gumaling 'yang atleta namin. Tapos babastusin niya ng ganu'n, hindi nila palalaruin."
Gomez served as the president of PFA from 2016 to 2023. A former national fencer, he won SEA Games medals in 1997, 2001, 2003, and 2005.