MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Embassy in Buenos Aires has filed a protest to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Argentina over the riot that occurred last February 11 after Filipino boxer Johnriel Casimero defeated hometown hero Luis Lazarte.

Acting Foreign Affairs secretary Esteban Conejos Jr. met with Argentine Ambassador to Manila Joaquin Otero to discuss the post-fight riot, which injured some members of Casimero’s team.

"We relayed to him (Otero) the serious concern of the Philippine government about the incident, and we look forward to be advised on any action by the Argentinian authorities in relation to the incident," DFA spokesperson Raul Hernandez said in a statement.

Otero will inform the Argentine government of the Philippine's concern, Hernandez added.

"The Ambassador expressed deep regret for the incident and stated that they don’t support any riots or acts of violence in which safety of any human being could be at stake," Hernandez said.

In a separate statement, Otero apologized for the incident and said that he was disappointed "at the referred display of unsportmanship that constitutes an affront to all peoples of the world who love sport and fair play."

Both Lazarte and the promoter of the event, Osvaldo Rivero, already apologized to Casimero and his team members.

Osvaldo Bisbal, the president of the Federacíon Argentina de Box (FABOX), however, has not apologized and will not sanction Lazarte and Rivero for their role in the riot.

The Games and Amusement Board (GAB) has already sent a letter to their counterparts in FABOX, asking that the people responsible for the violence be sanctioned. GAB commissioner Atty. Aquil Tamano also said that Bisbal's refusal to apologize was "ungentlemanly."

But Tamano admitted that they cannot force FABOX to impose sanctions.

The Philippine Senate has also ordered the DFA to recall the ambassador to Argentina, Rey Carandang.

Senate president Juan Ponce Enrile said the Argentine ambassador to the Philippines must also explain why "they have the temerity to assault the flag, the honor, the dignity of this country represented by our boxer."

Senator Loren Legarda, chair of the foreign relations committee, clarified that the Senate is seeking an explanation, but the Philippines is not severing its ties with Argentina.

Casimero won the interim International Boxing Federation junior flyweight championship and returned home to a hero’s welcome in Ormoc last Wednesday.