MANILA — Chavit Singson, former Ilocos Sur Governor and President Emeritus of the Philippine National Shooting Association (PNSA), has called upon the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) to intervene in response to what he perceives as irregular actions within the PNSA.

According to Singson, the PNSA officials bear responsibility not only for the disappearance of approximately one million pesos worth of clay shooting targets and ammunition but also for sending unqualified athletes to international competitions, including the upcoming Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.

Singson expressed his concerns during a press conference held at his guest house in Corinthians Garden, Pasig City, emphasizing the importance of uncovering the truth for the sake of fairness, justice, cooperation, and the continued development of sports. He stated, “We are seeking the assistance and support of the POC and the PSC to uncover the truth about what is happening in the PNSA. Athletes are the ones affected by this.”

One of the main issues raised by Singson is the inclusion of unqualified athletes in international competitions, such as Joaquin Ancheta, who was marked as “Did Not Finish” in two elimination tournaments and performed poorly in international events. Singson also questioned the participation of self-made multisport campaigner Richard Gomez, a congressman, who did not meet the necessary qualifications.

Singson further expressed concern about the exclusion of deserving athletes like pistol shooter Carlo Valdez, who had consistently performed well in qualifying events but was left out of the Asian Games team.

Singson and former national shooter Raul Arambulo, who exposed the missing clay targets issue, have requested assistance from the POC and the PSC to investigate the matter and ensure accountability within the PNSA. They believe that if the issues persist, it may warrant inquiries from the Senate and House of Representatives.

Arambulo mentioned that despite requesting crucial documents from the PSC for their investigation, they have not received a response, hindering their ability to file charges against those responsible within the PNSA.

In conclusion, Singson and Arambulo are advocating for transparency, accountability, and fairness in the PNSA, highlighting the importance of selecting qualified athletes for international competitions to maintain the country’s reputation on the global sports stage. They hope that the POC will consider including deserving athletes like Carlo Valdez in the Asian Games Philippine team. (ai/mnm)