RP rejoices over Pacquiao victory

MANILA, Philippines — Army troops and Muslim guerrillas briefly stopped fighting and traffic ground to halt in the Philippines on Sunday as locals rejoiced at the stunning victory of national hero Manny Pacquaio. The 30-year-old Pacquiao knocked out England's Ricky Hatton with a ferocious left hook to the jaw late in the second round, abruptly ending the light welterweight bout in Las Vegas. The killer punch sparked a frenzy of celebrations across the Philippines. "The fighter who'll bring down Manny hasn't been born yet," said Melissa Palaran, who was selling corn cobs outside a Manila basketball stadium, where 15,000 Filipinos watched the match on six huge screens. "Even the US president can't beat Pacquiao. Manny for president," motorcycle taxi driver Jesus Guasis said. Guasis mounted his taxi and drove back to Manila's streets, which were nearly empty of traffic. In a country that has grappled with deep financial problems and political divisions for years, Pacquiao has created a fanatical following that bridges the divide between rich and poor. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, a leading backer, has welcomed him back with a red carpet at her palace after each of his victories. Arroyo and other Philippine officials, who were meeting potential investors in Egypt, broke into cheers when told about Pacquiao's win. She has often cited his phenomenal rise to world fame from being a street vendor. "May this victory inspire all Filipinos to triumph against all odds," Arroyo said. Retired public school teacher Evangeline Fernandez, clasping a rosary, watched the bout for free in a government gymnasium in Manila's Tondo slum district. She thanked Pacquiao for uniting the Filipinos even for six minutes and drawing the people's mind off long-nagging problems like government corruption. "Thank you so much Manny for giving us a good name," Fernandez said. Muslim rebel spokesman Eid Kabalu said many members of the 11,000-strong Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the largest Muslim guerrilla group in the country's volatile south, trooped back to their communities to watch the bout. While ecstatic over the result, the rebels thought Pacquiao ended the fun too quickly. "They came from the fields. They haven't even warmed their seats and it was over," Kabalu said. "I wish our rebellion can be done as quickly," Kabalu said. Army soldiers gathered by the hundreds in military stadiums in the capital to support Pacquiao, who is a reserve officer. The military congratulated Pacquiao and urged Filipinos to heed his call for unity. Many policemen were warned not to leave their posts and told to settle for a replay of the bout, envying colleagues who were deployed to live telecasts in Manila stadiums to guard against pickpockets. – AP