Police athletes from the Philippine National Police (PNP) shone at the recent World Police and Fire Games 2022 held in Rotterdam from 22 to 31 July 2022, and brought home a huge number of medals.
The 14-member PNP Taekwondo Team from the PNP Headquarters Camp Crame bagged the overall title in the Taekwondo competitions after winning 17 golds, 10 silvers, and 9 bronze medals, while the “PilipinasPuso” Volleyball Team from the PNP Regional Office 11 in Davao City scored third place in the volleyball indoors competition.
Some 10,000 police, fire, customs and corrections officers from all over the world participated in the tournament held every two years, competing in more than 60 sports.
During separate visits of the two teams on July 31 and August 1 at the Philippine Embassy in The Hague, Ambassador J. Eduardo Malaya expressed profound congratulations to the team members and lauded them for making the Philippines proud by their exemplary performance.
“Your participation in the World Police and Fire Games is a big honor for our country. Cooperation and camaraderie among police agencies are significant. It is also important that we engage foreign counterparts in order to benchmark ourselves in terms of knowledge and skills. You showed others how capable you all are. Your victory in the competition is not just your own, but a victory for the whole PNP and the country,” said the Ambassador.
The Taekwondo team was led by Police Major Ma. Carolina P. Abelarde, as team manager, and composed of the following, with their respective medal tallies: Eva Claire Santiago (four golds); Marife Baes (two golds, two silvers), Jovelyn Payos (two golds, silver) Dauphin Punzalan (gold, silver, bronze); Aaron Jayxen Banatao (gold, bronze); Crecensio Opriasa, Jr. (Gold), Merrie Fe Endorma (gold, silver, bronze); Edward Barrera (gold, two silvers, bronze); Andrew Alapad (gold, three bronze); Katleen Joy Dilay (gold, three bronze); Zayra Acosta (gold, two silver); Hazel Magpantay (gold); and Genesis M Soliven (Bronze). The team coach is Police Chief Master Sergeant Dauphin Punzalan.
Police Lieutenant Kathleen Jayme meanwhile led the PNP Volleyball team as team captain, with the following members: PSMS Norine Lapating, PCPL Jennifer D. Conde, PCPL Laura Jay C. Dimapilis, and Pat Johanna Marie C. Pacunla.
Some 170 PNP representatives were in The Netherlands to compete in a number of sports competitions, including badminton, basketball, cycling, and track and field. The full results of each sport can be viewed at https://wpfgrotterdam2022.com/sports/.
The World Police and Fire Games 2023 will be held in Canada.// END
