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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider AFP, sports bodies formalize detailed service of soldier-athletes

AFP, sports bodies formalize detailed service of soldier-athletes

Published May 20, 2021 08:39 pm

Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Butch Ramirez (bottom right) meets with Philippine Olympic Committee President Rep. Abraham Tolentino, Philippine Paralympic Committee President Michael Barredo, and Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Cirilito Sobejana in an online meeting. (PSC Images)

Rio Olympics silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz and 116 other servicemen of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) were officially handed to the national team on detailed service (DS), the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) announced Thursday, May 20.

Top officials of the PSC, the Philippine Olympic Committee, the Philippine Paralympic Committee and the AFP signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that formalized the DS of athletes and coaches.

In an online meeting, PSC Chairman Butch Ramirez met with AFP Chief of Staff General Cirilito Sobejana, POC president Rep. Abraham Tolentino and Philippine Paralympic Committee head Michael Barredo as they signed the agreement in a virtual ceremony.

Sobejana, in his speech, highlighted the importance of the MOU as it symbolizes the commitment of all parties to to bring pride to the country through sports.

“Develop potential gold medalists in international sports competitions,” said Sobejana.

“In the name of sports and in the name of public service, your Armed Forces is not above you, not below you but rather we are always beside you. Sama-sama nating hubugin ang ating mga atleta upang tayo ay magwagi sa lahat ng mga (Let’s unite in developing the athletes so that we could win) in sports competitions across the globe.”

For his part, Ramirez, who has had the chance to sign a number of previous agreements for detailed service, acknowledged the unprecedented partnership in this new agreement.

He said that the partnership has evolved into a very valuable venture benefitting Philippine sports. Also, the PSC chief stressed that the government sports agency will have tighter monitoring of everyone on detailed service.

“Act as befitting a soldier. They (athletes) are soldiers first before they are athletes,” said Ramirez.

Part of the agreement is the option to terminate the DS of certain athletes should there be a case of conflict with the NSA (national sports association), as well as cases of misconduct, or breach of discipline as provided for in AFP regulations.

Aside from Diaz, who is in Malaysia preparing for his fourth Olympics in this year’s Tokyo Games, also part of the program are Southeast Asian (SEA) Games perennial champion boxer Josie Gabuco, 2019 SEA Games gold medalists Melcah Jen Caballero (rowing), and Jermyn Prado (cycling).

"Sports is a battle that brings glory to the country. We are grateful to the AFP for allowing them to be with us in our battle of friendship and diplomacy. They are our frontliners in sports," said Tolentino.

The agreement will be enforced for three years suntil 2024.

Also present during the virtual signing were PSC Commissioners Ramon Fernandez, Arnold Agustin, Celia Kiram and Charles Raymond Maxey, along with PPC Secretary-General Walter Torres and Philippine Army Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel Major General Adriano Perez Jr.

Related Tags

Butch Ramirez Hidilyn Diaz Bambol Tolentino Philippine Olympic Committee Tokyo Olympics Philippine Sports Commission Detailed Service Rio Olympics
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