Palami asks public not to judge Azkals

MANILA, Philippines – Philippine Azkals team manager Dan Palami is asking the Filipino people not to be quick to judge the members of the national football team who are embroiled in a sexual harassment issue.

"Tayo naman po na nasa publiko, 'wag muna po nating husgahan 'yung mga players," Palami said in an interview with ABS-CBN's Dyan Castillejo.

Prior to the Azkals' inspiring campaign in the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup, the team became involved in controversy after match commissioner Cristy Ramos accused Lexton Moy and Angel Guirado of sexual harassment.

The case is now with the Disciplinary Committee of the Philippine Football Federation.

"I've done my own investigation, and I truly believe na walang intention ang mga players na i-disrespect ang match commissioner during the game," Palami said.

"But that's coming from somebody who is managing the team, so it will be good if the Disciplinary Committee will come up with the truth. But meanwhile, sana po 'wag muna nating husgahan 'yung mga team members na nasasangkot sa gulo at sa reklamo," he added.

Palami said he hopes the public will wait until the Disciplinary Committee has finalized its investigation and made a decision before they pass judgment on the Azkals.

"Hintayin natin 'yung desisyon, dahil mas objective po iyon at mas nakikita po nila 'yung buong kwento," he said.

Palami is set to submit his statement as the team manager to the PFF Disciplinary Committee, while the players are given until Friday to do so.

Ramos filed her complaint after allegedly being disrespected by Moy and Guirado while conducting a pre-match check prior to the Azkals friendly against Malaysia last February 29.

"Nagtataka sila lahat kung bakit nagkaroon ng problema," Palami said of the Azkals. "During that time wala naman silang nakitang magiging issue."


Azkals player Lexton Moy.
"Sabi ko nga minsan, 'yung mga sinasabi natin, nami-misinterpret, 'yung mga actions natin, lalo na 'pag hindi kabisado 'yung grupo, baka mabigyan ng ibang kahulugan," he added.

Palami has advised the team to be more careful with their words and actions.

"Just be more aware kung sinong mga tao na andiyan... Sometimes our private jokes, 'yung hindi naman jokes talaga, kwentuhan lang, iwasan na lang during the time of the inspection para hindi na ma misinterpret," he said.

Moy, for his part, said there is "absolutely no truth" to Ramos' allegations.

"I can't wait for the truth to come out, and when it does, the public will see a true, genuine side of what the team stands for, what the players stand for and what we're all about," Moy said.

Moy and Guirado will also present their statements to the PFF Disicplinary Committee.

"We want to go about this professionally and let the investigation takes it course," Moy added.

The Azkals are back in the Philippines after a historic third place finish in the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup in Nepal. – With a report from Dyan Castillejo, ABS-CBN News