Marines, Army clash in shootfest

MANILA, Philippines - Crack shooters from the Marine Corps and Army’s marksman training unit vie for supremacy in the high-powered rifle competition of the 2011 Sniper Shooting championship tomorrow and Sunday at the Taytay Tactical Rifle Range in Rizal.

Philippine National Shooting Association (PNSA) president Mikee Romero said the heads of both the Marines and MTU had assured him that they would be fielding their best shooters in the last two days of the tournament, thus ensuring a battle royale.

“It’s going to be a close call since both units (Marines and Army) are out to prove a point,” said Romero. “A rivalry is good for the sport. That’s the reason why we staged this tournament, we want to increase awareness in this discipline.”

Three-time ASEAN Army Marksman champion Cpl. Rodeney Rizano will lead the strong Army team along with veteran instructor Master Sgt. Domingo Agustin and another ASEAN winner Cpl. Allan Lao.

Romero, however, is not discounting the possibility that several civilian shooters will pull off some surprises and share the limelight with the military personnel at the end of the competition.

“There are a lot of good shooters from the civilian side, so expect some surprises,” added the Harbour Center CEO who thanked Marine Commandant Maj. General Rustico Guerrero for supporting the event – the first under his watch.

The shooters to watch in the civilian side are Randy Nocom, Taytay Mayor Joric Gacula and Randy Paronda.

Paronda dominated the first part of the tournament by ruling the Expert Rifleman Semi-Auto and Expert Rifleman Bolt Action divisions of the Small Bore Rifle (.22). Nocom, on the other hand, reigned supreme in both the Semi-Automatic and Bolt Action Experts categories. 

The High-Powered competition, according to tournament director Boy Banaag, will be a five-stage, 300-meter contest.

Meantime, the Marines will hold a demonstration tomorrow where they will show their capabilities, latest equipment and various gears.