Philippine boxing officials raise concerns over SEA Games officiating favoring Thai boxers

The 33rd Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) are currently underway in Bangkok, Thailand, with the Philippines fielding one of its largest contingents to date—a 1,600-strong delegation competing across multiple sports.

Among the Filipino athletes in action is the national boxing team, although Philippine officials have raised serious concerns over what they described as questionable officiating by the host nation. Former Association of Boxing Alliances of the Philippines (ABAP) president Ricky Vargas and current secretary-general Marcus Manalo have voiced alarm over what they see as a pattern of officiating decisions favoring Thai boxers.

Vargas and Manalo aired their concerns after Filipino boxers Jay Brian Baricuatro and Flint Jara advanced to the finals of their respective weight divisions at the Chulalongkorn University Sports Center. Baricuatro is set to face Thailand’s Thitiwat Phlongaura in the light flyweight final, while Jara will take on Thanarat Saengphet in the bantamweight division.

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Thailand has secured multiple spots in the finals across various categories, including Thananya Somnuek (women’s light flyweight), Natnicha Chongprongklang (women’s bantamweight), Bunjong Sinsiri (men’s welterweight), Thipsatcha Yodwaree (women’s light flyweight), Apisada Tantawa (women’s lightweight), Sakda Ruamtham (men’s lightweight), and Janjaem Suwannapheng (women’s welterweight).

The high number of Thai finalists has sparked questions from Philippine officials, with Vargas describing the trend as highly questionable.

‘IT’S DIFFICULT TO GO BEYOND THE UNFAIRNESS’

Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP) Chairman Ricky Vargas has formally raised concerns over ‘dubious’ judging at the SEA Games, citing statistical anomalies such as at least nine Thai boxers in the finals. pic.twitter.com/Gsi2SJbAby

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“That was a good win because we came out aggressive and assertive—you could see that we wanted to end the fight early,” Vargas said in a media interaction. “Hopefully, our two men’s boxers in the finals will come out well, even if their opponents are from Thailand. After this, almost everyone in the finals is Thai, so we really need to do something drastic if we want to win gold.”

Vargas and Manalo have also reportedly submitted a formal letter to SEA Games organizers seeking clarification on officiating decisions in several bouts involving Filipino boxers. The letter cited concerns in matches featuring Hergie Bacyadan, Nesthy Petecio, Riza Pasuit, Ian Clark Bautista, Mark Ashley Fajardo, and Junmilardo Ogayre.

Despite the controversy, Vargas urged the national boxers to channel their frustration into stronger performances inside the ring.

“More than irritated, I’m very, very disappointed,” Vargas said. “But I told the boys that this unfairness is something we cannot control. We have to stop complaining and fight it out in the ring. We need to be more aggressive and go beyond what’s required, even if it’s difficult. Combine the scientific approach with aggression and go for the win.”

Boxing was expected to be one of the Philippines’ strongest medal prospects, led by Olympians Nesthy Petecio and Hergie Bacyadan. However, both suffered disappointing semifinal exits, dealing a blow to the country’s early gold medal hopes.

The Association of Boxing Alliances of the Philippines has since criticized the officiating and judging in those bouts, with Manalo calling on organizers to uphold “sporting integrity.” Petecio bowed out in the women’s 63-kilogram semifinals after a controversial 3–2 split-decision loss to Indonesia’s Hasanah Huswatan.

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