Senate seeks explanation on Pinoy assault in Argentina

Senate asks the Department of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday to recall the Philippine envoy to Argentina following the assault of a Filipino boxer who won in a recent match there. "I move that we order the DFA to recall our ambassador to Buenos Aires and to call the ambassador of Argentina to this country to explain why they have to assault our flag, the honor, the dignity of this country represented by our boxer," irked Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said. The Senate during Wednesday’s legislative session decided to recall the Philippine Ambassador to Argentina, Rey Carandang, after Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III showed a video of Filipino boxer John Riel Casimero getting mobbed last Feb. 11 in Mar Del Plata, Argentina. After the tenth round, Casimero won via technical knockout the International Boxing Federation’s Junior Flyweight title against Argentinean Luis Lazarte. But even before he was declared the winner, the video showed that the crowd started throwing bottled waters, debris and chairs aimed at the Filipino boxer and his entourage. "Nasa baba na ng ring si Casimero dinudumog pa rin nila," Sotto said, noting that the Filipino boxer along with his trainer, boxing manager and promoter suffered serious injuries. To make matters worse, the President of Argentine Boxing Commission, Osvaldo Bisbal, said that “there is no one to punish for the ugly post fight riot” and “everything was fine” at the venue, Sotto noted. Sotto said that the Philippine Games and Amusements Board has already sent a letter to Bisbal, showing concern over the incident and asking for an investigation. “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 Philippine delegation,” Sotto said. Enrile added, “We must protect our citizens against mistreatment committed by other nations otherwise they will trample our flag, honor, dignity as human beings in this planet.” Senator Lito Lapid, a known action movie star, jokingly asked how big Lazarte is because he might be able to take out the Argentinean boxer on his own. “Kung may kanta silang 'Don't Cry For Me Argentina,' paiyakin na natin sila ngayon,” Lapid said. If you have any questions or inquiry just email rexyapejr@gmail.com