THE PHILIPPINE OLYMPIC COMMITTEE said Saturday it will abide by the rules of the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) with regard to the decision to strip national heptathlete Narcisa Atienza of a bronze medal after testing positive for a banned drug during the 2007 Southeast Asian Games in Thailand.

POC president Jose (Peping) Cojuangco Jr. said he wanted the Wada to know that the country is supporting its campaign to rid the sporting world of doping which has tainted big international events for decades including last year’s SEAG in Nakhon Ratchasima.

Atienza was one of five athletes disqualified for testing positive for a banned substance during the last SEAG in Thailand according to a report by medical chief Dr. Varin Tansupasiri which was presented during the SEAG Federation meeting in Vientianne, Laos, Saturday.

Among those stripped of their medals was middleweight boxer Suriya Prasathinpimat of Thailand, whose gold now goes to Filipino Junie Tizon and boosts the country’s total number of victories to 42.

Atienza’s coach Roselyn Hamero said her ward is back in training, hoping to make the team to the Laos SEA Games next year.