Mariano says she was slapped by NCFP man

Christine Rose Mariano, the Woman International Master who accused a male messenger of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) of physically assaulting her the other day, struck back with serious verbal accusations against her alleged aggressor yesterday.

Mariano, elder sister of Grandmaster Nelson Mariano II, said Chad Fang, the messenger, could shed light on the forgery issue hurled by some chess players regarding the unauthorized withdrawal of their monthly training allowances from the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) in the past.

Mariano and Fang, a nephew of NCFP secretary-general Sammy Estimo, met at the PSC payroll office Thursday. They had an argument when Mariano asked the messenger how her fellow IM, Joy Lomibao, was able to draw her latest allowance when she is currently competing in Malaysia.

"Then he raised his voice telling me to mind my own business. We had an argument where he elbowed me on the side of my breast and slapped me on the face," said Mariano.

Mariano told reporters yesterday that Fang admitted to her that he’s also been drawing the allowances for National Master Kathryn Cruz, among others. — Abac Corder