Karatedo coach says tournament official shoved, shouted at his athletes in Dumaguete tilt
Cebu’s Team Hayashi-ha Shitoryukai Karate-do Club filed a formal complaint at the Dumaguete City Police Office after they were allegedly harassed by a Cebuano official in an invitational karatedo tournament yesterday at the Robinsons Place Dumaguete.
The Cebuano team headed by its coach, Reynante Vidal, filed a complaint against Manuel Aloba, the Visayas chapter director of the Philippine Karatedo Federation (PKF), for shoving and shouting at some of its athletes.
The team, composed of junior karatekas ages 9 to 12 years old, was set to compete in an invitational karatedo tournament dubbed Do-Kyihan Karatedo Championships, as reinforcements for sister club COSCA Dumaguete City Karatedo Club.
According to Vidal, some of the team’s members were harassed by Aloba during their warmup.
Included in the team was Vidal’s three children, Rafael, Ayanna Lein and Ricah Faith. They were joined by Christine Marie Sacedon, Cedrile Maage, Maria Mae Leonor Sacedon, Frederick and Chodie Maage.
In the police report photographed by Vidal, aside from shoving the athletes, Aloba yelled at them, saying they were not invited.
Because of the incident, Vidal said some the team’s members cried in humiliation.
“He somehow forgot that he was yelling at children. He could have approached me and talked to me about his concerns,” Vidal said. “For me this is bullying. I saw him trying to kick one of my players out of the playing venue.”
In the police report, it was stated that Aloba shouted at the kids saying, “Gawas mo kay wala mo gi invite (Leave because you are not invited).” Instead of leaving, Vidal’s karatekas bowed to Aloba in a show of respect. But Aloba continued shouting, saying, “Panggawas lagi mo! Dili mo manggawas kay ipa security ta mo (I told you to go out! If you won’t, I’ll call the security)!”
The parents of the other karatekas who were also present are determined to file charges against Aloba. Vidal said they will be consulting with their respective lawyers on their next move.
“He could have gently told me or the kids to exit the venue rather than doing such disrespectful and traumatic act,” added Vidal.
According to Vidal, Aloba was invited to the Dumaguete City Police Station but he refused to face his complainants.
Cebu Daily News tried getting Aloba’s version of the events but phone calls and text messages weren’t answered.