Army promotes Pacquiao following fresh win against Barrera

By Ronron
October 12, 2007

Filipino boxing champion Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao was promoted by the Philippine Army two ranks higher as a reservist enlisted personnel following his latest win against Marco Antonio Barrera in the United States.

Army chief Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano conferred on Pacquiao his Master Sergeant rank in simple rites Friday afternoon at the Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

The promotion was approved last October 7, the same day his actual fight in Nevada was viewed by Filipinos in the country.

“Technical Sergeant Manny Pacquiao is promoted to Master Sergeant in the reserve force of the Philippine Army for bringing distinct honor not only to the Philippine Army and the Armed Forces of the Philippines but the whole country as well,” Army spokesman Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres, Jr. said.

In his speech during the promotion rites, Yano said Pacquiao serves as an epitome for the soldiers for his “courage, determination and discipline.”

In response, Pacquiao, who spoke in Filipino, said he hopes to inspire the soldiers and boost their fighting spirit, especially those in actual combat operations in Basilan and Sulu.

“I plan next month to Jolo and Basilan to give support to our soldiers who are fighting down there… I hope I can give them inspiration and courage,” he said.

Pacquiao likened the current mission of AFP troops against terrorists and other so-called enemies of the State to a boxing match.

“I am very happy with this promotion… I used to dream only of becoming a soldier and now, it’s been realized with my becoming a reservist,” he said.

Pacquiao recounted his experience in 2004 when Yano, the commander then of the Army’s 601st Infantry Brigade, brought him to an actual combat operation against the Abu Sayyaf Group in Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat.

He said he enjoyed the time when they engaged in a “boodle fight” with the operating troops.

Yano admitted he took extra care of Pacquiao in that operation, making him ride a Simba and wear an American camouflage uniform, so he will not be recognized by their enemies and be sniped.

At that time, Pacquiao was not yet an Army reservist, Torres said.

Torres said Pacquiao was first conferred an Army reservist rank in April 2006. He became a Sergeant then.

In December of the same year, he was promoted two ranks higher to Technical Sergeant.

Torres said that as a reservist enlisted personnel, Pacquiao does not receive any salary from the AFP.

But he is expected to serve in whatever means, like civic actions and disaster response, for at least 30 days a year. Torres, however, is not aware how Pacquiao complies with this requirement./DMS