Lt Colonel Pacquiao inspires wounded Army troopers in spite of defeat

MANILA, Philippines (Updated) – Wearing their blue hospital gowns, Army troopers showing different injuries flocked the multi-purpose hall of the Army General Hospital inside the Army headquarters in Taguig City confident that one of their own – Army reserver officer Lieutenant Colonel Emmanuel Pacquiao – will crush undefeated boxer American Floyd Mayweather.  (LIVE BLOG: Manny Pacquiao vs Floyd Mayweather) 

Pacquiao didn’t succeed but the troops said they will always be proud of him. (READ: Mayweather defeats Pacquiao as skill prevails over will)

Army Staff Sergeant Ramy Enoslay, who lost his left eye in a 2010 ambush, said he’s still happy that the most awaited boxing match happened. He continues to get treatment at the Army hospital.

“Lahat kami na Army nanonood sa kaniya… Masaya pa rin kami na nakalaban niya si Mayweather (All of us in the Army have always followed his fights… We’re still happy that he faced Mayweather),” Enoslay said. 

Enoslay survived the election-rated ambush that killed 5 people including teachers who served as board of election inspectors in Compostela Valley.

“Matalo, manalo, Pacquiao!,” shouted Technical Sergeant Nicomedes. (Win or lose, we’re rooting for Pacquiao!) 

Pacquiao’s rank

Pacquiao entered the Army’s reserve force in 2006 with the rank of Sergeant. He rose through the ranks through “meritorious promotion.” 

His current rank, Lieutenant Colonel, is the rank often given to lawmakers, according to Army spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Noel Detoyato.

The Army Reserve Command is counted on to help the military as force multipliers, especially in operations involving humanitarian assistance and disaster response. 

The Reserve Command may only be deployed to join combat operations in case of war, Detoyato added.

‘Pacquiao shows Army’s core values’

Army chief Lieutenant General Hernando Iriberri said Pacquiao showed the Army’s core values.

“In spite of the defeat, the Philippine Army stands proud of what Manny Pacquiao  did during the fight. Manny will always be the icon of the Army troopers’ determination and courage. Like a true soldier, he lived up to the Philippine Army’s core values of honor, patriotism and duty,” Iriberri said in a statement. 

The Army toopers will always be proud of Pacquiao, added Detoyato.

“There are only two people who fought in the biggest boxing fight of the century. One of them is a Filipinio. He desevers all the accolades. He will be warmly received here in the Army when he visits us,” Detoyato told Rappler.

Detoyato joined Army chief Lieutenant General Hernando Iriberri and the top echelon of the Philippine Army at the nearby Army Officers Club to watch the match. – Rappler.com