Pacman to soldiers in Marawi: Never surrender
LANAO DEL SUR – Sen. Manny Pacquiao yesterday urged soldiers in Marawi City to vigorously pursue the restoration of law and order in the area, convinced it can be accomplished sooner than expected.
“Huwag kayong sumurender dahil kumbaga sa boxing, nasa last three rounds na lang tayo ngayon at malapit nang matapos (Never surrender, because just like in boxing, we’re down to the last three rounds and it’s almost over),” Pacquiao told soldiers and officers during a
traditional military “talk to the men” dialogue that he presided over to boost the morale of the battle-weary government troops.
The senator arrived in Marawi City on board a private helicopter that landed inside the sprawling compound of Camp Ranao, the command base of the Army’s 103rd Brigade, located just one kilometer away from where the firefight was still going on.
A reservist-colonel in the Philippine Army, Pacquiao wore the regular brownshaded Special Forces camouflage uniform during his engagement with soldiers in Camp Ranao.
Pacquiao held a brief meeting with Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr. of the Western Mindanao Command and other military officials while in Marawi City.
Galvez said the brief engagement of Pacquiao with soldiers in Marawi City was “very positive” for military units clearing the area of Maute terrorists.
“We are very grateful to Sen. Pacquiao for spending time with the troops,” Galvez said. “Masaya kami. Ito ay isang pagbibigaypugay sa aming paghihirap (We’re happy, as his visit is a form of recognition of our hardships),” a Marine officer, who requested anonymity, said.
Army Scout Ranger Pfc. Allan Benbinuto told The STAR he and his companions were honored by the senator’s visit to Marawi City.
Benbinuto is still recuperating from an eye injury he sustained in an encounter with Maute terrorists last month.
Also present at the meeting were Brig. Gens. Joselito Bautista, Emmanuel Salamat of the Philippine Marine Corps, Ramiro Rey of the Joint Task Force Ranao and Felicisimo Budiongan of the Mechanized Infantry Division.
Aid for soldiers
Pacquiao brought with him some aid for the soldiers, mostly grocery items, that were prepared by his staff.
More than 3,000 packs were distributed by his Senate staff three days before his visit, according to Pacquiao’s information officer Aquiles Zonio.
Selfies were taken as Pacquiao passed by the troops.
Pacquiao said he visited the different military detachments and camps there before heading to Cagayan de Oro City and then back home to General Santos City.
He said it was heartwarming for him to see how he managed to lift the spirits of the soldiers with his visit.
Pacquiao was the second government official to visit Marawi apart from President Duterte, according to the senator.
Pacquiao promised to put up a covered basketball court in one of the military detachments in Marawi.
After speaking with some of the soldiers there, Pacquiao said that they need the moral support of the public.
“They asked for prayers from the people,” he said.
Selling rematch
While the Filipino boxer and senator was busy visiting Filipino troops in war-torn Marawi City yesterday, Jeff Horn was trying to sell his rematch with Manny Pacquiao over in Brisbane using social media, saying, “The passion and interest is nothing short of sensational.”
Boxing is far from the 38-year-old fighting senator’s mind right now, a month after losing his WBO welterweight crown to the Australian schoolteacher.
Horn, the new world champion, said the rematch, dubbed “Battle of Brisbane II,” would be staged late November or early December at the 13,500-seat Brisbane Entertainment Center.
His WBO welterweight belt will be on the line, and a new set of judges and referee will be tapped for the rematch.
“As soon as the fight is confirmed, we will have all the information on packages, ticketing and timings for you,” Horn said.
Horn described his Instagram post as an “official announcement.”
A member of Pacquiao’s inner circle yesterday told The STAR that a rematch with Horn is not being discussed at the moment.
“Nothing,” he said.