The commissioner of the Cebu Schools Athletics Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) will investigate an incident where Tonee Despojo, Photo Editor of Cebu Daily News, was asked to present a “campus permit” before he was allowed to enter the University of San Carlos (USC) Main Gym to cover the championship game of the secondary volleyball tournament last Sunday.
Felix Tiukinhoy said he will meet with Cebu Daily News sports editor and Cesafi president Fr. Dionisio Miranda to discuss the matter.
“I am surprised that such incident happened,” said Tiukinhoy.
Despojo on Sunday went to the USC Gym to cover the championship game between the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu and University of San Jose-Recoletos.
Despojo, however, was stopped at the gate by a security guard, identified only as Lederos based on the nameplate of his uniform.
Lederos asked Despojo if he had a permit to cover the event.
“Nangita siya’g campus permit kay Sun.Star ra man daw ang pwede makacover,” said Despojo.
Despojo told Lederos he didn’t have a permit. It took about 15 minutes before Despojo was allowed to enter the gym.
“I later knew nga free entrance ra pagsulod na nako,” said Despojo.
While Despojo was stopped at the gate, The Freeman’s Paul Jun Rosaroso and Caecent Magsumbol entered the gym without delay.
“Diretso ra man ko nakasulod. Nagbayad ra ko’s parking,” said Rosaroso, the Freeman’s photographer.
“Diretso ra man sad ko. Wa man pud ko nag-ID,” said sportswriter Magsumbol.
This writer was also able to enter the gym even without presenting an identification card or a permit.
In an interview, Lederos said he was just implementing a policy ordered by Fr. Andring Ocariza, athletic director of USC.
“Mangita man gud mi og campus entry, mao ako siyang gi-hold. Free admission lagi pero nagsunod ra man ko sa policy,” Lederos said. “Ang gitawag sa ako kay Sun.Star ra pero wala kahibalo nga open ba sa tanan.”
Ocariza said media men should ask permission from the school first when bringing gadgets to avoid any problems of getting inside and for security purposes.
“Gi-restrict man gud siya kay mao man gyod na ang patakaran sa San Carlos kung magdala kag gadgets,” Ocariza said. “Ang San Carlos strict man gud na sila enkaso ba, naa bitaw og kawat. SOP man gud na sa campus basin niya naay mawala nga gadget. They have to ask permission first before bringing gadgets for security purposes.”
Ocariza added the guards were not well-oriented since it was the first time for them to officially host a CESAFI tournament.
“Ang San Carlos, dili man gud na parehas sa Cebu Coliseum nga known ang media people. Panagsa ra gud ang tournament diha,” said Ocariza.
However, Ocariza assured that media people can expect that the guards will do a better job in the next games.
“Way problema. Learning experience to. San Carlos man gud, it was the first time to host the CESAFI officially kay sa una panakip butas ra man ang San Carlos kung naay mga games. Ang Sun.Star man gud, nangayo sila’g campus entry, kung other media nangayo sila’g campus entry, wala tay problema,” Ocariza added.