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By Anthony Vargas Reporter
BOXING sensation Manny
“PacMan” Pacquiao plans to visit his fellow soldiers who are in
the frontlines of Basilan and Sulu battling feared Abu Sayyaf
bandits, which is a very rare act among warriors of the square ring.
Pacquiao’s enlistment in the
armed reserved and going to the frontlines to inspire Filipino
troops is a stark contrast to Muhammad Ali’s dodging the US
military draft during the Vietnam War, which led to his being
stripped of his championship. On a similar note to Pacquiao, Joe
Louis, the longest-reigning heavyweight champion, was also a US Army
sergeant and fought exhibition matches for American troops during
World War II.
Pacquiao, an army reservist, was
promoted to master sergeant from the rank of technical sergeant as
a reward for his unanimous decision victory over Mexican Marco
Antonio Barrera last Sunday, said Army spokesman, Lt. Col. Ernesto
Torres Jr.
“Next month I will visit Jolo
and Basilan to show support for our soldiers there,” Pacquiao,
garbed with an army battle dress, said in a speech at the Army
headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.
The boxing hero said he hopes his
latest triumph in the ring would serve as a big inspiration for
fellow soldiers to be more “courageous, brave and determined” in
fighting the enemy.
“I really wanted to be a
soldier . . . this is a dream come true,” Pacquiao said.
The Army chief, Lt. Gen.
Alexander Yano, after conferring the promotion, joked that if
Pacquiao continues his winning streak, they could not promote him
anymore. “We may have to demote you.”
Pacquiao, who completed high
school through the government’s out of school program, could not
be promoted anymore since master sergeant is the highest rank for
enlisted military personnel.
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