BIRMINGHAM, AL – July 8, 2025 – The Philippine National Police (PNP) Taekwondo team excelled at the 2025 World Police and Fire Games, securing 26 medals—13 gold, 6 silver, and 7 bronze. The biennial event took place from June 27 to July 6 in Birmingham, Alabama, featuring over 8,700 athletes from more than 70 countries. Key individual performer Police Chief Master Sergeant Aaron Jayxen C. Banatao won a gold medal in Tae Kwon Do Kyorugi.
Other significant medal contributors included:
- Police Executive MSgt. Jose Mar Bersalona: 1 Gold
- Police Staff Sgt. Andrew Alapad: 3 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze
- Police Executive MSgt. Dauphin Punzalan of PRO3 won 2 Gold, 1 Silver
- PEMS Marife Baes PRO4A 2 Gold, 1 Silver
- PMSgt. Edgar G. Pantohan: 1 Gold, 2 Silver, 1 Bronze
- PEMS Kristoffer Bayola (Police Regional Training Center 4-B): 1 Gold and 2 Bronze medals.
- Corporal Zayra Acosta (PRO4-B): 1 Gold, 1 Silver, and 1 Bronze medal.
- Patrolwoman Almarie Lungat (PRO3): 2 Bronze medals.
- Police Chief MSgt. Cresencio Opriasa Jr. (Southern Police District Special Weapons and Tactics
- SWAT team): 1 Gold medal.
Team coach Executive Master Sergeant Punzalan expressed admiration for the team’s dedication and skill demonstrated throughout the competition. He also expressed gratitude to the support given by the leadership of the PNP.
“Maraming salamat po to our Chief PNP PGEN NICOLAS D TORRE III for the unwavering support and guidance. To our dedicated Regional Directors, your leadership and vision have been instrumental in our success. To the Philippine Taekwondo Association, salamat po for nurturing and promoting taekwondo in the Philippines. And to the Filipino communities in Alabama, maraming salamat po for your warm hospitality and enthusiasm. Your support means a lot to us. Mabuhay po tayong lahat! Mabuhay ang Pilipinas! GOD bless us all!” Punzalan said.
The United States topped the medal count, followed by Brazil, India, Canada, and Spain. The next World Police and Fire Games will be held in Perth, Australia, in 2027.
