
Philippine Army (PA) marksmen brought home a total of 25 medals and ranked third place in the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Armies Rifle Meet (AARM) in Prachuap Khiri Khan, Thailand last week.
Lt. Gen. Roy Galido, PA commanding general, congratulated the 25-member Philippine Army Shooting Contingent (PASCON) who competed against the best shooters from 10 ASEAN countries at the Infantry Training Center in Fort Thanarat from Nov. 16 to 25.
"I am honored and thrilled to recognize your successes and hardwork in the 31st AARM. All your perseverance serves as an inspiration and you set a very good example for everyone in the Philippine Army," Galido said in a statement Tuesday, Nov. 28.
The competition gathered 400 pistol and rifle experts from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines who vied for the top spot in various shooting matches.
These included carbine (individual), rifle match, carbine match, machine gun match, pistol men match, pistol ladies match, rifle falling plates, carbine falling plates, machine gun falling plates, pistol men falling plates, and pistol ladies match.
In the end, the PASCON accumulated 12 gold, seven silver, and six bronze medals as well as a perpetual trophy, enough for them to seize the third spot which was similar to their ranking last year.
Indonesia landed on the top spot with 10 gold medals, nine silver medals, 10 bronze medals, and four trophies; while last year's top finisher Vietnam was dethroned and finished at second place this year with 10 golds, seven silvers, seven bronzes, and one trophy.
The AARM is an annual shoot fest participated by ASEAN countries to promote professionalism, sportsmanship, and friendly competition among their armies.