Phl condemns pug's assault, files protest in Argentina

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines has filed a protest to the Argentine Ministry of Foreign Affairs, condemning the riot that ensued following Filipino boxer John Casimero’s victory over Argentinian Luis Alberto Lazarte in Buenos Aires last Feb. 11.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) also summoned Argentine Ambassador to Manila Joaquin Otero to express the government’s concern over the riot and at the same time ask for explanation on the action taken by the Argentine government on the incident.

Acting Foreign Affairs Secretary Esteban Conejos Jr. also requested Otero to advice the government on any action taken by the

Argentinian government over the incident.

“We relayed to Otero the serious concern of the Philippine government about the incident and we look forward to be advised on any action by the Argentinian authorities in relation to the incident,” DFA spokesperson Raul Hernandez said.

Otero, meanwhile, said he will relay the Philippine’s concern to his government and promised to inform the DFA of the official response of the Argentinian government on this issue.

Meanwhile, Malacañang said it remains undecided whether Phl Ambassador to Argentina Rey Carandang would be recalled or not following the incident.

At the Senate, Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III condemned the assault and directed the DFA to recall Carandang.

“Will we settle for this kind of bullying to Filipinos? We must condemn in the strongest possible terms this attack on a Filipino sports hero and the entire Phl delegation,” Sotto said.

Sotto also decried the statement made by the president of the Argentine Boxing Commission, Osvaldo Bibal, that “there is no one to punish for the ugly post fight riot,” adding that “everything was fine” and there would no sanctions to be taken against Lazarte.

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile also moved to summon Carandang and Otero to explain the circumstances surrounding the incident and what action they have taken since.

Enrile was angered by the manner by which the Argentinian fans “mistreated, assaulted and insulted the honor of the country, as well as Casimero.”

“I move that we direct the DFA under our power to ratify treaties and to ratify the assignments of ambassadors to this country. We direct the DFA to recall our ambassador to Buenos Aires and to call the ambassador of Argentina to this country to explain why they have the temerity to assault the flag, the honor, the dignity of this country represented by our boxer that went to their country thinking that that country is a civilized country and not a country of abnormal, uncivilized people,” said Enrile.

Hernandez said that the deputy chief of mission of the Argentine Embassy in Manila has apologized to the DFA over the incident.

The Philippine Embassy in Buenos Aires reported that the riot lasted for over 10 minutes.

Argentine police secured and escorted Casimero and his team to their hotel and stood guard until morning to ensure their safety.

Lazarte and his fight promoter also went to the hotel to personally apologize for the incident.

Casimero was attacked by the Argentinian crowd after stopping Lazarte in the 10th round with chairs and debris thrown into the ring.

Casimero, 21, of Mandaue City, Cebu, is the former interim WBO light flyweight champion. With the spectacular win, he bagged the vacant IBF light flyweight title.

Casimero’s handlers, led by promoter Sammy Gello-ani, were hurt and badly shaken as hostile fans entered the ring and attacked members of Casimero’s team. – With reports from Marvin Sy, Aurea Calica