INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines—Muay thai chief Robert Valdez was shot dead reportedly by one of his former wards Saturday right inside the national training center in PhilSports in Pasig.

Police have fingered Sonny Sumale, a former member of the national team and a muay thai standout of the Philippine army, as the suspect.

Witnesses, including someone close to Valdez, said another former coach and national player was responsible for the shooting. The witnesses said the former coach shot Valdez while two national athletes were warming up inside the training facility and while the rest of the national squad were attending a seminar.

The suspect reportedly fled the scene after the shooting, bringing with him the weapon, whose caliber the police have not yet identified.

Philippine Sports Commission chair Harry Angping, who immediately went to the Medical City where Valdez was rushed, described the incident as “unfortunate.”

He said he hoped the athletes’ morale won’t get affected by tragedy considering that the country is considered a powerhouse in muay thai, where it emerged overall champion in the 2005 Southeast Asian Games and runner-up in the 2007 edition.

“Whatever it is, we accept responsibility with what happened because it occurred in our premises,” said the PSC chief who immediately asked for a report from his security forces detailed at the venue.

PO2 Higino Dancel said the police are still trying to find the motive for the shooting while Angping was at a loss as to how the suspect managed to slip a gun inside the training center when he had previously issued an order that all firearms be deposited at the PhilSports complex’s entry points.

More than half of 1,000-plus members of the national training pool are enlisted men in the armed forces, and may have access to firearms.

Philippine Olympic Committee president Peping Cojuangco declined to comment until a thorough report was made.

Valdez was in the thick of preparation for the Battle of the Best, a semi-pro event among members of the national team, training pool and the champions who emerged from the division championships of the Philippines Olympic Festival.

Valdez was credited for putting the sport into the mainstream in the ’80s after having studied it in Thailand. He served as fight coach to celebrities Robin Padilla, Judy Ann Santos, Dingdong Dantes and Angel Locsin.