By Priam Nepomuceno/PNA
MANILA — For his latest victory over American challenger Adrien Broner and other outstanding achievements, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) paid tribute to Filipino boxing icon and Senator Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao at the AFP headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City Friday.
AFP Chief-of-Staff, Gen. Benjamin Madrigal, and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana awarded the AFP Meritorius Achievement Medal to Paquiao for his triumphant defense of the WBA Welterweight World Title against Broner last January 20 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Aside from the medal, the AFP also granted the senator an honorary membership in the Philippine Army Scout Ranger.
Becoming a Scout Ranger requires strong will, gallantry, and willingness to offer one’s life for the sake of mission accomplishment.
The military leadership believes that the ‘Pambansang Kamao’ embodies all these characteristics.
“As a man of admirable strength and physical endurance, we in the AFP truly hold you, sir, in high esteem and regard for your accomplishments. Majority of the Filipino people look up to you as a source of inspiration: a living example of a man who rose up from the adversities of life through hard work and perseverance,” Madrigal said.
The eight-division World Champion was also accorded with a Manifesto Plaque.
This is in recognition of his outstanding contributions in the field of sports, furtherance of the welfare of veterans and reservists, and for being an exemplary source of inspiration to the Filipino nation.
“We would like to thank you for through your efforts and support, legislations that are significant to the development of our nation’s security have been filed, especially the Armed Forces of the Philippines Reservist Act or ‘Restoration of the ROTC Bill’ for Grades 11 and 12 students,” Madrigal said.
Prior to the ceremony at the Lapu-Lapu Grandstand, the AFP rendered arrival honors to the Senator at the General Headquarters Canopy.
He then made a courtesy call on Madrigal at the AFP Hall of Flags.
In December 2017, Pacquiao was promoted to the rank of a full-fledged colonel after finishing his General Staff Course.
Prior to this, his promotion to lieutenant colonel was approved in September 2011 as recommended by Army officials.
He first enlisted in the Army Reserve Force with the rank of Sergeant in 2006 upon the recommendation of then AFP chief-of-staff, General Alexander Yano. Pacquiao was then promoted to technical sergeant in the same year, rising through the ranks when he became a master sergeant in 2009.
