Team Philippines is mulling the withdrawal of its players in subjective sports in the 24 th Southeast Asian Games amid fresh allegations of biased decisions to favor host Thailand .

Reports coming out of the Philippine contingent last night said Filipino officials in judo, karatedo, taekwondo and boxing have reportedly reached the boiling point and they are seriously considering withdrawing athletes out of their remaining events as a sign of protest.

A meeting among officials was to be held late last night, a report from the RP contingent said.

“The primary option is to walk out of the events or boycott them completely,” a source, who requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media, said.

But while the Philippines, the defending champion, has been trying to figure out a collective stand, other countries have not shown signs of making similar moves just yet, the report added.

Thailand , through then Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, also accused the Philippines of cheating in subjective sports when the country hosted and captured the overall title in the 2005 SEA Games.

However, there were also incidents of perceived pro-Thai scoring two years ago, especially in boxing that was held in Bacolod City .

“We are here not only to win gold but compete in the spirit of fair play. We did not see that today. This is too much,” Bacolod Rep. Monico Puentevella, the RP chef de mission, was quoted as saying, after watching four boxers, including Bacoleña Mitchel Martinez get “robbed” in their final matches against Thais.

A report on GMAnews.TV also said that Philippine taekwondo players walked out in disgust and coach Stephen Fernandez complained about what he saw as questionable officiating in the match between Mary Antoinette Rivero and Thailand 's Cassandra Haller.

Haller apparently came from behind to beat Rivero for the 67 kg gold medal. Rivero was ahead in the first round but her kicks and punches did not register in the next few rounds and she was even penalized a point in the final 30 seconds as Haller took the match 7-4.

Rivero also knocked down her opponent several times but earned no points.*CPT

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