Parent calls out Cavite football org over lack of medics after youth injuries

Parents, coaches stepped in with first aid; made improvised splint using pamaypay, punit na tela.

A parent is demanding answers from the Cavite Regional Football Association (CAREFA), a nonprofit sports organization under the Philippine Football Federation, after multiple young athletes sustained injuries during a match where no medics were available.

In an open letter posted Sept. 27 in the CAREFA public Facebook group, the parent said three players from the Panthers Football Academy in Carmona were injured on the pitch during the Sept. 26 match of the PFF-CAREFA RFA Youth League 2026.

“Upon seeking immediate emergency care, we discovered there were no certified medical personnel, first–responders, or medics available on the field. When we questioned the ambulance driver, the latter stated the lone assigned medic was absent (or had left the premises) due to a personal emergency,” the letter read.

The parent said CAREFA should have a contingency plan for essential staff, adding that the lack of one “would amount to gross negligence.” While the Cavite local government provided an ambulance at the venue, the parent said CAREFA “was solely responsible for deploying certified medical personnel to staff that vehicle.”

The parent also claimed that CAREFA’s failure to provide medical staff “directly violated both local agreements and international football safety protocols.”

Parents, coaches left to deal with injuries

The post contained photos and videos of the alleged incident, with captions describing what happened after the players were injured.

According to the captions, one injured player waited nearly five minutes for a medic before parents and coaches stepped in to help. The player’s father improvised a splint using a pamaypay and used medyas and “punit na tela” as makeshift bandages.

Another caption described an injured player being made to walk despite appearing to limp, with no stretcher available. The child’s father eventually carried the player, with the group using a chair to bring the child to a vehicle.

The parent said the player was taken to the hospital in their own car, with no CAREFA representative accompanying them. The captions also claimed that the parents shouldered the expenses.

Similar past incidents

The parent also claimed that the “same failure” involving young players occurred during matches on Sept. 19 and Sept. 12.

“This ongoing lack of immediate medical intervention does not just delay treatment – it carries the catastrophic potential to prematurely end the sports careers and athletic aspirations of these dedicated players,” the parent said.

The parent cited alleged statutory violations, including gross negligence under the Civil Code and the “no medics, no play” mandate from the Department of Education and the Philippine Sports Commission.

The parent demanded mandatory pitch-side verification, with referees and tournament commissioners required to confirm certified medical personnel are present before a match starts. It also called for secondary or on-call responders for every match day.

“We reserve the right to elevate this matter to higher sports regulatory bodies and appropriate legal forum,” the parent said. “We expect a public outline of your corrective actions prior to the next scheduled match day.”

‘Fact-based review’

Hours after the open letter was posted, CAREFA President Perry Camba said the organization recognizes the concerns raised but stressed that the allegations require a “fair, objective, and fact-based review” before liability or negligence may be determined.

CAREFA said it is conducting an internal assessment and coordinating with concerned stakeholders to establish what happened. Any findings and recommendations, it said, will be addressed under established policies and governing regulations.

The association maintained that it has acted “in good faith” and taken reasonable measures within its authority to ensure the safe conduct of its competitions.

CAREFA also described player safety as a “collective responsibility” shared by organizers, clubs, coaches, medical personnel, parents, and athletes. It said it would invite the parents and others who posted the letter to reach an “inclusive conclusion.”

‘Several critical gaps’

The parent welcomed CAREFA’s assurances but said its response left “several critical gaps.”

It argued that an internal assessment does not address the immediate safety concerns raised over the three match dates and said parents and players cannot provide tournament medics or decide whether matches proceed.

The parent also clarified that the injuries were not the central issue. Rather, they said the concern was the alleged absence of medical standby when the matches were allowed to begin. The injuries, the parent argued, “do not create the violation—they simply expose it.”

The parent reiterated the demand for “tangible, visible proof” of medical coverage before the next match day, including verification by referees that certified medical personnel are physically present at the venue.

To date, CAREFA has not announced specific new medical staffing measures for the next match day, while the PFF has not publicly commented on the reported incidents.

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