Aquino: fine show
By William B Depasupil/Manila Times
President Benigno Aquino yesterday proved he was a better shot than most of his generals and senior military officials, emerging as a champion for the second straight year in the annual “Games of the Generals” shooting contest at the Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Makati City.
Aquino topped the man versus man category, defeating Customs officer Junny Guadalupe. The president’s team, made up of shooters from the Presidential Security Group (PSG), bagged five special trophies, 10 gold, 10 silver and five bronze trophies.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) team led by Gen. Emmanuel Bautista claimed the championship in the team versus team category.
Team GHQ (General headquarters) won two trophies, six gold and 10 silver trophies.
Former chief of staff and now Customs Deputy Commissioner Jessie Dellosa led his team of best shooters to the championship trophy and five golds.
Outgoing Army chief Lt. Gen. Noel Coballes and army’s team of generals won five gold and a championship trophy.
“I am proud of our generals for showing their best in this competition (and) at the same time enjoying the fellowship a few days before I humbly bow out from the military service,” Coballes said.
Coballes will be retiring on February 7.
The Army hosted this year’s competition, which was attended by about 50 generals, senior officers and their civilian counterparts including those from the General Headquarters, Philippine National Police, Bureau of Jail and Penology Management, Philippine Coast Guard, PSG and the Bureau of Customs.
The shootfest aims to foster and strengthen camaraderie among the competing government agencies, and promote excellence in pistol marksmanship.