Philippine Fencing Association president Rene Gacuma filed a complaint against Leyte 4th District Representative Richard Gomez at the 2025 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games after alleging that Gomez struck him during a dispute over the replacement of a national fencing athlete.
Gacuma said the confrontation occurred while officials discussed substituting a member of the Philippine fencing team shortly before competition. According to the complaint, the disagreement escalated into a physical altercation involving Gomez, who also serves as president of the association’s board of trustees.
The complaint requests that authorities review video footage, official reports, and witness statements from other officials present during the alleged incident. As of now, investigators have not released findings or announced formal charges against Gomez.
SEA Games organizers confirmed receipt of the complaint and said they would follow internal procedures for handling disputes and conduct issues. Philippine delegation representatives coordinated with event officials to determine any impact on fencing competitions and athlete eligibility.
Officials noted that athlete substitutions at the SEA Games require approval from technical delegates and organizers, and disagreements may arise when rules are interpreted differently.
At press time, Gomez had not publicly responded to the allegations. Authorities and sports officials continue to review evidence and statements to assess whether the incident violated SEA Games conduct rules, national sports regulations, or applicable laws.
