WBO bantamweight champion John Riel Casimero has denied allegations of sexual abuse involving a minor that were recently leveled at him in the Philippines. Casimero is facing U.S. deportation from his training camp in San Diego due to the situation. He is scheduled to defend his title against Paul Butler on April 22 in Liverpool, but if he is unable to enter the UK, the WBO will likely vacate the title.
Casimero said in a statement:
“I vehemently deny any accusations thrown at me regarding a blotter concerning an alleged female minor and vow to clean my name for not only myself and my family, but also my country, the Philippines.
“I have been instructed by my legal team to not directly address any news media outlets due to the fact that to date, there has not been any criminal charges brought forth for me or my legal team to respond to.
“But being that my name has been defamed, slandered, and surrounded by fabricated stories circulated by journalists and vloggers whose only intention is to destroy my good name as the WBO world champion representing the Philippines, I believe I have the right to state my truth and allow truth to prevail.”
The age of consent in the Philippines was recently raised from 12 to 16…interesting.
I actually looked this up and found an article titled “Philippines Senate unanimously raises age of sexual consent from 12 to 16”, written in November of 2021.
Maybe Casimero thought he was in his right in abusing a 12 and a half year girl ! That’s not his fault, he wasn’t aware of the new law, he should use this excuse in front of the jury ! I know I shouldn’t be kidding with this subject but there is no smoke without fire..
I don’t know how far along this would have to progress in order for him to be deported or refused entry into the UK. But I do believe that after he didn’t make the last fight, the WBO said that if he missed it again for any reason, Casimero would be stripped and if Butler couldn’t make it, even he would lose his mandatory status. So I’m thinking that Probellum probably has Joseph Agbeko training for this fight in case either falls out like they did the last time.
Kind of strange this, despite if is true or not the accusation, it’s the second time that a boxer is under this circumstances when he is in the verge of a good payday (Rolly Romero was before).
Innocent or guilty Im sure the fans will not blame all of the Philippines. He is just an up and coming athlete not the darn President. Guy gotten a gift decision over Rigo and thinks he’s Paq now.
Eh the Phillipines. No wonder. Probably met her at some night club or on the corner and thought she was older. Happens a lot there and in Thailand so girls can make money to feed their families.
ah no wonder why his fight fell through
Geez. Age of consent is just NOW 16? These so called men need to mature or take penis enlargement pills, or something. 16 yr old girls aren’t ready to satisfy a full grown man.
Hope he isn’t guilty because prisons in the Philippines are scary as hell is, I’ve watched a serie called worst prisons in the world and in the Philippines they sleep each one against another..
Hopefully they raised the age of consent last year because 12 is so young..