PSC reviews pact on AFP athletes

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) vowed to be more strict in granting the requests of enlisted personnel in the national pool for a detached service (DS) that would excuse them from their military duties while in athletic training.

“It has been abused before so we’re going to be very strict (on securing DS),” PSC chairman Richie Garcia said after emerging from a meeting with representatives of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to work out a new memorandum of agreement on athletes/coaches-soldiers.

“They (athlete-soldiers) have to justify their need for DS. They should be competitive, otherwise, if they won’t perform, they should go back to being soldiers,” he added.

At present, there are 142 national mainstays and coaches who are enlisted with the different branches of the AFP, led by SEAG long jump gold medalist Marestella Torres and Guangzhou Asiad boxing champ Rey Saludar (Army).

Garcia said the military representatives during yesterday’s meeting, led by Gen. Ramona Go, assistant deputy chief of staff, PERS, J-1, of AFP, promised to be accommodating on the PSC’s requests for DS for the intended athletes-soldiers, even in the planned two-year training for the “elite athletes” for the 2013 SEA Games.

A 30-day notice, at the minimum, will also be required for national sports associations (NSAs) requesting for DS.

Outside training, though, the enlisted personnel will have to go back to barracks. “Let’s say after SEA Games and their training is over, they should spend time with their mother units and be soldiers.”

In reviewing the existing MOA, Garcia said they will include a provision on coaches in military services in the new MOA, having been excluded from the existing agreement signed by ex-PSC boss Butch Ramirez in 2006.

Likewise, Garcia said proper recognition on the various branches will be made everytime their personnel brings honor to the country.

“They (AFP) want more recognition, that they are also part of the program, which is quite understandable since we’ve taken them for granted,” Garcia said, baring plans to invite generals when bestowing honors on achievers from their branch.