Victory both in Sport and Maritime Security
The Philippine National Police Maritime Group (PNP MG) Dragon Boat Team delivered an outstanding and historic performance during the Philippine Dragon Boat Federation (PDBF) Final/Championship Leg held from November 29 to 30, 2025 at the Dolomite Beach, Manila Baywalk, Roxas Boulevard. The two-day regatta, which kicked off at 6:00 AM on November 29, featured the continuation of the 3rd Quarter Leg races, as well as the culminating championship heats for the 4th and Final Leg of the 2025 PDBF racing season.
Competing against 23 elite teams and over 700 paddlers from various uniformed services and local dragon boat organizations nationwide, the PNPMG Dragon Boat Team displayed exceptional strength, discipline, and technical mastery throughout the event. Their performance earned them multiple podium finishes across all categories.
For the 3rd Leg, PNP bagged the Championship in the Women’s Premier 500m; finished 2nd Runner-Up in the Open Premier 500m, and secured Podium Finishes in the 4th Leg races (2,000m & 500m Finals). In the Final Leg, the team earned the following titles: Mixed Premier 2,000m – Champion; Open Premier 2,000m – 1st Runner-Up; Mixed Premier 500m – Champion; Women Premier 500m – Champion; Open Premier 500m – 1st Runner-Up; Senior Open 500m – Champion; and Senior Mixed 500m – 1st Runner-Up.
These victories resulted in a commanding accumulation of points from both the 3rd and Final Legs, combined with consistent podium placements achieved in all previous quarterly regattas. Consequently, the PNP MG Dragon Boat Team secured the following Overall Titles for the 2025 PDBF Season, such as Mixed Division – Overall Champion; Women’s Division – Overall Champion; Open Division – Overall Champion; Senior Open Division – Overall Champion; and Senior Mixed Division – Overall 1st Runner-Up.
A noteworthy highlight is that the Women’s Open, and Mixed Premier entries were composed exclusively of PNP MG personnel, while the Senior Division entries proudly represented a collaboration between MG personnel and paddlers from other PNP offices and units. This collective dedication and teamwork propelled PNP to emerge as the biggest overall champion of the 2025 PDBF season, solidifying its reputation as one of the country’s most formidable dragon boat contingents.
The team’s overwhelming success has also become the basis for its endorsement to represent the Philippines in the International Dragon Boat Federation Club Crew World Championships next year—an opportunity that places the PNP on the global stage of competitive dragon boating.
Aside from the historic performance of the PNP MG Dragon Boat Team, PNP MG headed by Police Brigadier General Lou F. Evangelista,likewise intensifies its operational efforts in safeguarding the country’s maritime domain. From June to November 2025, the Group conducted four major joint operations across Cebu, Negros, Basilan, and Palawan in close coordination with the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and other law enforcement units. These operations resulted in the arrest of 14 suspects, the seizure of 475,000 packs of illicit cigarettes and 20,000 sacks of undocumented rice, and the recovery of contraband valued at Php52,407,300.
Beyond these seizures, the operations led to the identification of more than Php1 Billion in unpaid excise taxes and the filing of cases before the Court of Tax Appeals for violations of Republic Act No. 12022 and other related laws. The Maritime Group’s sustained enforcement efforts not only dismantled organized smuggling syndicates but also helped stabilize local markets, protect the livelihoods of farmers and fisherfolk, and ensure fair and lawful trade, delivering tangible economic benefits nationwide.
These achievements reflect the vision and leadership of Police Lieutenant General Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., Acting PNP Chief, anchored on the principle of “Serbisyong Mabilis, Tapat, at Nararamdaman.” Behind every successful operation of the PNP Maritime Group are troopers who brave treacherous seas, darkness, and uncertainty, armed with rigorous training, courage, and unwavering resolve. From Basilan to Palawan, and from Negros to Cebu, the Maritime Group has demonstrated that the country’s seas are not lawless frontiers but secured domains patrolled by dedicated law enforcers committed to protect the Filipino people.
In close coordination with partner agencies, PNP continues to ensure that the national economy and the welfare of the Filipino people are safeguarded against economic sabotage and other transnational crimes. PNP MG’s dual triumphs in both competitive sport and operational excellence stand as a testament to discipline, teamwork, and service beyond duty. Their message resonates across the nation: the seas are not lawless; they are protected by troopers who carry courage as their compass, integrity as their anchor, and public service as their mission.
