PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) Chief General Rodolfo S. Azurin Jr. on Saturday congratulated the PNP sports delegation that emerged victorious in the just concluded 2022 World Police and Fire Games held in Rotterdam, Netherlands.

The international sporting event held from July 22 to 31 saw the 14-member PNP member PNP Taekwondo Team bagging the overall title in the Taekwondo competitions.

Overall, the PNP Team brought home 20 gold, 22 silver, and 15 bronze medals.

The PNP Taekwondo Team captained by Major Ma. Carolina Abelarde took 17 gold, ten silver, and nine bronze medals, while the “Pilipinas Puso” Volleyball Team from the Police Regional Office 11 (PRO11) based in Davao City finished 3rd in the indoor volleyball event.

“We always support programs and activities that promote our personnel’s physical development and wellness. The actual competition is as important as the preparation that encourages them to live an active lifestyle,” Azurin said.

Some 10,000 police, fire, customs, and corrections officers joined the biennial event, which started in 1985. It is open to active and retired law enforcement and fire service personnel worldwide.

“More than the medals they garnered, this experience enriched the values of our participating personnel while engaging with other athletes and promoting sportsmanship. In this way, they are champions in their own rights,” the PNP chief said.

Azurin said the participation of Team PNP in the international sporting event is part of their holistic approach to building the character of all personnel.

Some 170 PNP representatives flew to Rotterdam to compete in a number of sports competitions, including badminton, basketball, cycling, open water swimming, darts, and track events.

Master Sergeant Michael Pelaez of the PNP Headquarters Support Service (PNP-HSS) got a silver medal in the decathlon and pole vault events and was a member of the 5X5 PNP Basketball Team, which also grabbed a silver medal.

Pelaez also took a bronze medal in the triple jump event, while another PNP-HSS member, Senior Master Sgt. Gierby Lacorte took two bronze medals in the Karatedo event.

The PNP Taekwondo Team medalists are Police Chief Master Sergeant Dauphin Punzalan, who took the gold in the Poomsae Team 30+ competition, the silver in the Poomsae Mixed Pair 30+, and a bronze in the Poomsae Individual 40+ competition.

PMS Aaron Jayxen Banatao of the PNP Public Information Office grabbed a gold in the Poomsae Team 18+ event and the bronze in the Kyorugi-58 kg 30+ competition.

PSSg. Merrie Fe Endorma got the gold in the Poomsae Team 30+, a silver in the Kyorugi +68kg 30+ competition, and a bronze in the Poomsae Class A 30+ event.

PSMS Crescencio Opriasa Jr. bagged the gold in the Kyorugi-54kg 40+ competition, while PSMS Jovelyn Payos grabbed the gold in the Poomsae Individual 40+ event, a gold in the Poomsae Team 30+ competition, and a silver in the Kyorugi +67kg 30+ event.

P/Cpl. Edward Barrera took the gold in the Poomsae Team 18+); a silver in the Poomsae Pair 18+; and a bronze in the Kyorugi +68-80kg 18+; Corporal Andrew Alapad bagged a gold in the Poomsae Team 18+; a bronze in Kyorugi +67 kg 18 +; and a bronze in Poomsae Pair 18+ event; Corporal Katleen Joy Dilag snatched gold in Poomsae Team 18+; a bronze in Kyoru +67kg 18+; Poomsae Individual 18+; and Poomsae Pair 18+.

Corporal Zayra Acosta got gold in Poomsae Team 18+; a silver in Kyorugi +57-67 kg 18+; and silver in Poomsae Pair 18+; Staff Sergeant Eva Claire Santiago took gold in Kyorugi-49kg 30+; a gold in Poomsae Individual Class A 30+; a gold in Poomsae Pair 30 +; and gold in Poomsae Team 30+.

Chief Master Sgt. Marife Baes took gold in Kyorugi-65 kg 30+; a gold in Poomsae Team 30+; a silver in Poomsae Individual +40; and a silver in Poomsae Pair 30+; and Corporal Hazel Magpantay snatched gold in the Kyorugi +67 kg 30+ event.