Despite her enlistment, Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Nesthy Petecio will still pursue her college studies here.
The women’s featherweight finalist has formally joined the ranks of the Philippine Coast Guard last Thursday along with weightlifter Elreen Ann Ando with ranks of Petty Officer 3rd Class, a non-commissioned officer.
The two Olympians reported for duty Thursday at the PCG National Headquarters at the Port Area in Manila where they took their oath as members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines attached service.
Department of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade administered their oath as he expressed his gratitude in applying in the service which serves to protect the Philippine sea.
Tugade also welcomed the two in the service, which he actually leads.
PO3 Petecio and ASW Ando will join the Coast Guard Special Service Office (CGSSO) – one of the PCG units at the National Headquarters.
Petecio earlier said that she will be joining the PCG but will remain active in boxing where she will pursue more honors for the country. But she also intends to go back to school at the University of Baguio where she is enrolled at the School of Tourism and International Hotel Management where she finished an associate course in May 2019.
“Tuloy pa rin ang pagaaral at may detach service naman (My studies will continue since there is a detach service),” said Petecio.
Petecio’s two siblings are also UB students including Norlan who is also aspiring as a boxer.
The 2019 Southeast Asian Games and world champion Petecio said that even Irish Magno and Carlo Paalam will be soon wearing uniforms as they will be enlisted with the Philippine Navy.
Magno is also a UB student where she is enrolled taking up Criminology along with former world champion and 2019 Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Josie Gabuco.
Petecio lost to Japanese Sena Irie in the finals of the women’s featherweight to settle for silver.
Flyweight Paalam also took home a silver after losing to Galal Yafai of Great Britain in the finals.
The two are expected to receive PhP400,000 as incentive from city along with their coaches, who are to get half of that.
The two already received almost PhP20 million from the government and various individuals aside from a house and a condominium and free lifetime travel.
“I made sure that PhP1.2 million has been allotted for our boxers as well as their respective coaches,” mayor Benjamin Magalong earlier said after signing the implementing rules and regulations of the sports code which gives PhP500,000 for an Olympic gold and PhP300,000 for a bronze medal.
