Rene Gacuma, president of the Philippine Fencing Association (PFA), has filed a complaint over an alleged physical confrontation involving Leyte 4th District Representative Richard Gomez during the 2025 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Thailand.
On Thursday, Dec. 18, Gacuma accused Gomez, who currently serves as a PFA director and second vice president of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), of assaulting and verbally abusing him during the international fencing competition on December 16.
In a letter addressed to Philippine SEA Games Chef de Mission Dr. Raul Canlas, Rene detailed how he was allegedly insulted and physically attacked by the actor-politician on the opening day of the fencing events.
According to Gacuma, the confrontation stemmed from Gomez’s anger over the change in the lineup for the Individual Women’s Epee event.
Gacuma said Gomez objected to the committee’s decision to replace top-ranked fencer Alexa Larrazabal with Hanniel Abella due to issues related to her attendance in national training sessions and failure to submit travel documents.
Gomez further complained that he was not immediately informed of the transition, which was unanimously decided upon by several PFA directors on the night of Dec. 14.
It was a day later when Gomez was informed of the transition. The latter was also in Thailand at the time, having won a silver medal in the sporting clays event, as well as in attendance for his daughter Juliana’s fencing debut representing the Philippines alongside teammates Ivy Claire Dinoy and, supposedly, Larrazabal.
In his written account, Gacuma described the encounter in detail, including physical restraint and verbal abuse.
“Mr. Gomez learned of the decision of replacement after the team dinner meeting of December 15. He expressed an unmistakably reaction of resent and anger at our Ms. Leah Gonzalez (PFA Secretary-General and Treasurer), who objectively cited the above reasons.
He further claimed that Gomez reacted strongly to the news, allegedly saying in Tagalog: “Nasa Pattaya ako, that is 2 hours away, pero susugurin ko kayo diyan! Pa-Congress ko lahat ng directors ng PFA para tignan natin kung may budget pa kayo makukuha.”
The following afternoon on December 16, Gacuma had what he described as “a very unimaginable encounter” with Gomez, who went to the Fashion Island venue in Bangkok to check on his daughter’s results.
“When I extended my right hand to congratulate Mr. Gomez, he planted his right foot heavily on my left foot to limit my mobility,” he recalled the incident.
“He 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*t*ng ina mo Rene, g*go ka!’” he added.
Gacuma said he was rushed to the venue’s medical station, where he was assisted by Thai personnel and freed from Gomez’s alleged attack. About 10 minutes later, he claimed Gomez returned and confronted him again.
“Mr. Gomez walked towards me with a quick pace. 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! HR ka… HR ka lang, wala ka alam sa pagiging atleta!’” Gacuma recounted.
“Sisipain kita diyan! Alam ko saan ka nakatira!” Gomez allegedly warned.
Gacuma ended his letter by stating his intention to file formal charges against Gomez.
CCTV footage of the incident was later posted online by several news outlets, showing Gomez striking Gacuma, who was wearing an official Philippine SEA Games shirt.
Shortly after Gacuma’s statement was publicized, Gomez confirmed that a confrontation between him and the PFA president did occur.
Speaking about the incident, Richard said, “Eh, lumalapit siya (Gacuma) sa’kin eh. Alangan namang halikan ko siya roon. Sino ako para umatras?”
In an interview with One PH’s One Balita Pilipinas, Gomez explained that the dispute was triggered by the decision not to field Larrazabal, the team’s top-ranked fencer. He claimed she was sidelined for missing training sessions and alleged that she was being bullied by association officials.
“Ngayon pinalaro nila si Alexa, tapos yung pinalit nila kay Alexa, hindi nila pinalaro. Anong klaseng kalokohan? Kung talagang magaling yung bata, bakit hindi pinalaro today? ‘Yan ang problema pag may mga favoritism sa mga atleta. It will destroy the morale of our athlete,” he said.
Gomez also said he intends to file his own complaint over the alleged bullying of Larrazabal.
“Binu-bully nila si [Alexa]. You do not bully an athlete. [Magfa-file] din ako ng kaso for bullying an athlete,” he declared.
