AFP releases PH boxers for Bangkok tourney

From the Manila Standard Today (Jul 25): AFP releases PH boxers for Bangkok tourney

FOLLOWING pleas from Alliance of Boxing Associations of the Philippines president Ricky Vargas and executive director Ed Picson, the Armed Forces of the Philippines has released boxers for the national pool so they can begin training, even belatedly, for the Asian Championships, which opens in Bangkok, Thailand on Aug. 25.

The Bangkok gig serves as a qualifier for the World Championships in Doha, Qatar in October.

Picson informed The Standard/boxingmirror.com that coach Gerson Nietes informed him, that their Air Force commander had asked the boxers and coaches to report to Villamor Air Base first, before leaving for the training camp in Baguio City last night.

Vargas thanked Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and the AFP for their decision to release the fighters after they had been recalled to their various military units when their Detailed Service permits from the AFP lapsed on June 30, with an extension being sought by the Philippine Sports Commission only until days after the DS had lapsed, leaving the AFP no choice but  to recall the boxers and re-assign them to their mother units.

“We are grateful that Secretary Gazmin and our armed forces commanders realized the importance of proper training for combat in the boxing ring, just as they need to be properly trained to effectively defend our people and country’s honor in times of any confrontation. We at ABAP take our task of pursuing the quest for an Olympic gold medal in the 2016 Rio de Janiero Games with the same dedication and commitment that our military men pay to their assigned tasks. If we work together, we can surely fulfill our dreams,” Vargas said.

The agreement on the DS permits was entered into by PSC Chairman Garcia and the AFP, with the ABAP out of the picture.

However, the failure of the PSC to act on time forced ABAP president Ricky Vargas to appeal to Secretary Gazmin to allow the chosen boxers and their trainers to get back into training camp since time was running out.

Eight boxers, including the gold medalists in the recent Southeast Asian Games, where the Philippines won 5 gold, 3 silver and 2 bronze medals to emerge as boxing champions, as well as their coaches,  were reportedly released yesterday.

Among the boxers released were London Olympian Mark Anthony Barriga, Rey Saludar, Wilfredo Lopez, Eumir Felix Marcial, Dennis Galvan, Junel Cantancio. Mario Fernandez, Gerson Nietes, Joegin Ladon and Nico Magliquian, with coaches Pat Gaspi, Ronald Chavez, Harry Tanamor, Romeo Brin, Violito Payla and Elmer Pamisa.

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2015/07/25/afp-releases-ph-boxers-for-bangkok-tourney/