QC RTC oders arrest of swim head Joseph

The Quezon City Regional Trial Court has issued a warrant of arrest for swimming chief Mark Joseph in connection with a child abuse case filed by swimmer Paul Jerome Carpio.

Presiding judge Jose Bautista Jr. of QC RTC Branch 107 found probable cause to issue the warrant to the president of the Philippine Aquatic Sports Association (Pasa) for violating Republic Act 7610 or the anti-child abuse law.

Joseph, who was asked to post a bail of P80,000, could not be reached for comment.

Carpio filed the complaint before the Quezon City Prosecutors Office on July 19, 2011.

In his complaint, Carpio said he failed to compete in the 43rd Sabah Age Group Swimming Championships in Malaysia last year when Joseph barred him from joining the competition.  As a result, the son of Philippine Star assistant sports editor Gerry Carpio  claimed he suffered  emotional and psychological stress.

Carpio, who was 17 years old at that time, was supposed to compete in the event’s 50-meter freestyle (15-17 years old) and 200m freestyle relay.

In his complaint, Carpio said he suffered embarrassment and humiliation as a result of the incident.

The Penampang Swimming Association of Sabah (Preps) hosted the three-day swimming event. Joseph had earlier sent an e-mail to the Aquatic Swimming Union of Malaysia (Asum), alleging that the RP swimmers were not affiliated with the Federation Internationale De Natation (Fina) or Pasa.