Riflemen new top shooting prospects

MANILA—The big turnout of topnotch riflemen in the recent Sniper Shooting tournament proved that it’s the sport’s emerging discipline, the Philippine National Shooting Association (PNSA) said Monday.

Marksmen from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao gathered recently for the small bore (.22) and big bore (.223) competitions in the PNSA’s inaugural event held recently at the Taytay Tactical Rifle Range in Rizal.

“Rifle is indeed the fastest growing shooting group in the country now,” said PNSA president Mikee Romero. “I thank everybody for their all-out support. The event was a huge success.”

Randy Poronda, a veteran sniper instructor, emerged as the tournament’s biggest winner after bagging the crown in three events.

The Army’s Lt. Gen. Roland Detabali, the chief of the Southern Luzon Command, topped the sharpshooter division in the side event pitting the Army against the Marines.

Maj. Gen. Rustico Guerrero led the 200-strong Marine sniper corps in the four-day competition.

Detabali commended the event organizers, led by PNSA secretary general Col. Nil Gamboa and Erick Arejola for the “excellent hosting and preparation” of the event, which was also marked by a 50 .cal barret gun firing demonstration by the Marines.

Others winners: Allan Lao (Army, master rifleman semi-auto standard division and AFP semi-auto standard category), Luis Gonzales (music director, senior semi-auto open category and senior semi-auto standard category), Jolito Estrada (expert rifleman semi-auto standard), Ramon Garcia (sharpshooter semi-auto open), Jun Bacud (sharpshooter semi-auto standard), Renaldo Rivera (marksman semi-auto standard), PNP’s Ruther Saquilayan (semi-auto open), Benjie Repedro (semi-auto standard), Stephen Encarnacion (semi-auto open); Small-bore rifle winners: Oliver Jameiro (sharpshooter semi-auto), Eli Canivel (sharpshooter bolt action), Dennis Melchor (marksman semi-auto), Kyle Carigo (marksman bolt action) and Luis Gonzales (seniors).