The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has enlisted Tokyo Olympics 2020 Silver Medalist, NESTHY PETECIO and Olympian, ELREEN ANN ANDO into the Coast Guard service at the National Headquarters, Port Area, Manila today, 19 August 2021.

Gracing the oath-taking ceremony of said Olympians was Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade. During his speech, the DOTr Secretary expressed his gratitude to Petecio and Ando who applied to become part of the PCG even before they competed at the Tokyo Olympics 2020.

“Nesthy and Elreen, we welcome you in the ring of public service, especially in taking care of the safety and security of the Republic,” Secretary Tugade said.

Petty Officer Third Class (PO3) Petecio, who hailed from Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur, graduated with a degree in Associate Arts of Hotel and Restaurant Management (AAHRM) at the University of Baguio in May 2019.

Before her latest accomplishment, PO3 Petecio won GOLD MEDAL at the AIBA Women’s World Boxing in 2019 and competed at the Asian Games held in Incheon, South Korea in 2014. She also ranked SECOND in the Women’s Featherweight (57 kilograms) Division at the AIBA World Rankings.

Meanwhile, Apprentice Seawoman (ASW) Ando, a resident of Cebu City, is currently taking up Bachelor of Science (BS) in Criminology at Cebu University.

Before competing in the Tokyo Olympics 2020, specifically at the Women’s 64 kilograms Weightlifting Division, she won SILVER MEDAL at the Asian Championship held in Uzbekistan early this year and another SILVER MEDAL at the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games 2019 held in the Philippines.

PO3 Petecio and ASW Ando will join the Coast Guard Special Service Office (CGSSO) – one of the PCG units at the National Headquarters.

Health and safety protocols were strictly observed during the activity.