SWP suspends national coach for assaulting Cebuano weightlifter

CEBU, Philippines — The Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas (SWP) has ordered an indefinite suspension against national coach Richard Agusto after he allegedly assaulted Southeast Asian Games medalist and Cebuano weightlifter John Dexter Tabique during the weigh-in for the 2024 National Weightlifting Competition in Cebu City yesterday.

 “This is to inform you, Mr. Richard Agusto that you are being suspended indefinitely for acts inimical to the interest of our association for physically striking a member of the SWP National team, today here in Cebu,” the suspension order reads.

Tabique, 23, a student from the University of Cebu, reported the alleged physical assault to Mambaling Police Station yesterday. According to him, he met Agusto on his way to the weigh-in past 8 a.m. and without any provocation the latter punched him three times—once to the hand and twice to the stomach—which allegedly affected his performance in the competition.

“Pagweigh-in nako, nakasugat nako siya… ug gikalit nalang ko niya’g sumbag,” Tabique shared.

Tabique added that Agusto allegedly claimed to be a special intelligence officer of the Philippine Air Force and threatened to have him arrested anytime.

 “Giingnan ko niya, ‘wala ka kahibaw unsa ako trabaho sa air force? Special intelligence ko sa air force, pwede tikang ipadakop bisan unsa oras,” Tabique recalled Agusto telling him.

Agusto allegedly accused Tabique of spreading rumors about his supposed illicit affairs with his co-athlete. (CEBU NEWS)