By Teofilo Garcia, Jr./Philippine News Agency
ZAMBOANGA CITY — The Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) has expressed felicitations to Senator Manny Pacquiao on his victory in the World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight title Sunday (Philippine time) against American Keith Thurman.
Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, Westmincom chief, said the soldiers stand motivated and proud of Pacquiao for bringing Filipinos another honor and glory with his acumen and grit.
“He has once again proved his title as one of the best boxers. Ang kaniyang laban at tagumpay ay laban at tagumpay rin ng bawat sundalo at ng Pilipino sa kalahatan (His fight and victory is a fight and victory of every soldier, in particular, and the Filipinos, in general),” Sobejana said of Pacquiao, an Army reservist.
Pacquiao was first enlisted in the Army Reserve Force with the rank of sergeant in 2006 with the recommendation of then Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff, General Alexander Yano.
Pacquiao was promoted to technical sergeant in the same year, rising through the ranks when he became a master sergeant in 2009. He was promoted again in December 2017 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.
Pacquiao prevailed over Thurman with a split decision and won his 13th world title overall.
In Sunday’s bout, Pacquiao scored his 61st win against seven defeats and two draws. Thurman, meanwhile, suffered his first career loss after a 29-0 start with 22 knockouts.
“Maraming salamat sa iyong tagumpay, Pacman!(Thank you for your victory, Pacman!),” Sobejana said.
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