Leyte Rep. Richard Gomez defended his actions during a confrontation with Philippine Fencing Association (PFA) president Rene Gacuma at the 2025 Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, saying they were triggered by what he described as an unjust, last-minute decision to remove top-ranked fencer Alexa Larrazabal from the women’s individual épée event.
Gomez issued the statement after Gacuma accused him of physically hurting him at the fencing venue, an incident documented in a written report to the Philippine delegation’s Chef de Mission and backed by CCTV footage.
At the center of the dispute was Larrazabal’s removal from the individual event despite being ranked No. 1 under PFA qualification rules. Gomez questioned why the federation replaced her with the No. 3-ranked athlete at a major international competition.
Gacuma has said the move was recommended by the national coaching staff due to alleged training absences and documentation issues, and that the decision was unanimously approved by PFA directors. Gomez, however, said he was neither consulted nor informed despite being a PFA director present at the SEA Games.
He also raised questions about the decision to still field Larrazabal in the women’s team épée event, where she was named anchor, saying this contradicted claims that she was unprepared.
Gomez admitted his conduct toward Gacuma was improper but maintained that the greater injustice was the denial of Larrazabal’s chance to compete in the individual event.
“For Gacuma, it is easy to cry victim of assault,” Gomez said. “But for Larrazabal, her chance to compete in Individual Women’s Épée at the 33rd SEA Games had been unjustly stolen from her.”
He said he would continue pushing for accountability within the federation, stressing that his actions were driven by advocacy for Filipino athletes.
