By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Two-time Olympian Donnie Geisler followed through with his prior statement, breaking his silence and considering taking legal action amid the controversy between him and the Philippine Taekwondo Association (PTA).
A week after Geisler filed a complaint against the PTA for years of “abuse and maltreatment”, Geisler decided to file a cyber-libel case against their secretary-general Rocky Samson at the Parañaque Prosecutor’s Office.
The former PH national team member filed the case after Samson and national team head coach Dindo Simpao issued a statement that Geisler “misled” PH jins Butch Morrison and Alven Alcantara.
“Master Sung-Chon Hong forgave both Butch and Arven for taking part in the online session because they were misled by Geisler that he had gotten the permission of the PTA for them to guest in that training session,” Simpao told newspaper Malaya.
Previously, Geisler complained that all of a sudden, Morrison, Alcantara, and Pauline Lopez all pulled out as guest from his online training sessions.
The PTA said that Geisler should ask for permission if he will have national team members as guests.
“Is there any protocol? I don’t remember any. They can freely guest. What happened was that I had to ask permission. I asked the association, the coaches, and they just canceled it and I felt bad. Tinanggal ako sa mga messenger groups sa mga instructors,” the 2000 and 2004 Olympic member replied.
As of now, the PTA camp still hasn’t come up with their statement regarding Geisler’s cyber libel filing.
“It took me years to realize that the people whom I treated like family never treated me the same way. As I said it’s high time that I should stand my ground and protect my rights against abusive practices. If I will not do it no one else will,” Geisler added.
