MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Army boasts of having the best and skilled shooters among its 85,000 personnel, a military officially said.

According to Major Harold M. Cabunoc, the Army spokesman, Army soldiers are far from being “bolomen” who cannot shoot straight.

“The Philippine Army is home to the best shooters who have distinguished themselves not only in local competitions, but in international competitions as well,” said Cabunoc.

He said for the past decade, Army gunners have consistently landed in the top three in the annual ASEAN Armies Rifle Meet (AARM), an event where 10 countries take part.

Army shooters have also consistently grabbed gold medals in other international shooting competitions hosted by countries like China and Australia.

Cabunoc cited among others, Corporal Rodney Rizano and Sgt. Allan Lao who landed in the top 1 and 2 spots among 100 soldiers from the ASEAN armies in the AARM shootfest held in Indonesia.

“The Army Shooting Team counts in its ranks some top-caliber shooters who have made their mark in various international competitions,” said Cabunoc who is both a marksmanship instructor and a competitive shooter.

Cabunoc said the Army is continuously improving its marksmanship training programs being carried out by the Marksmanship Training Unit.

He cited that the “train the leaders” training method has been proven effective in developing more competitive marksmanship instructors who in turn, implement the marksmanship skills training program in their units.

“We are enhancing the shooting skills of our soldiers by conducting scenario-based shooting applications training in the field. This is in compliance to the provisions of the International Humanitarian Law and the IPSP Bayanihan RoE (rules of engagement) wherein the soldiers are supposed to shoot only legitimate targets and avoid the use of excessive force,” said Cabunoc.

The Army spokesman further said the future challenge is how to sustain the marksmanship skills program after the basic training that the soldiers have undergone, considering that marksmanship skill is a "perishable skill."

To address this concern, he said the Army is requiring all soldiers to undergo annual marksmanship training. To ensure that the program is sustained, the Army is evaluating policies that will be institutionalized.

“There are proposals that the soldiers are required to pass the Rifle Marksmanship Qualification Course before being reenlisted in the military service. This means that they must qualify as a ‘marksman’ before they can be allowed to renew their contract which lasts three years,” Cabunoc said.

Army officers “are required to undergo the Combat Pistol Qualification Course as part of the pre-entry training and their future sustainment training,” Cabunoc said.

Cabunoc also said that the soldiers’ marksmanship skills are sharpened by joining shooting competitions.

He said even senior officers of the Army like their commanding general, Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Bautista participate regularly in shooting competitions.

“I am proud of our shooting generals in the Army because their presence alone brings chills to the spine of the other competitors. Among our distinguished shooters include General Jessie Dellosa, General Roland Detabali, General Jorge Segovia, General Rommel Gomez and General Noel Coballes,” said Cabunoc.