Pacquiao sets visit to AFP troops in Sulu, Basilan

Filipino boxing champ Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao said Friday he intends to visit Sulu and Basilan in southern Philippines next month to show his support to the military campaign against terrorists in the troubled region. In his speech at the Army headquarters in Taguig City where he was promoted to master sergeant in the reserve force, Pacquiao said he hopes to inspire and boost the fighting spirit of the soldiers assigned in Mindanao. "I plan next month to visit Jolo and Basilan to give support to our soldiers who are fighting there," Pacquiao said in Filipino. "Their mission there is just like a boxing match," he added. Pacquiao thanked the Army leadership for granting him his reservist's rank, saying he realizes his childhood dream of becoming a soldier. The army gave Pacquiao a two-rank promotion effective October 7 in recognition for his latest ring victory against Mexican fighter Marco Antonio Barrera. Pacquiao recalled in his speech the time when Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano, commanding general of the Philippine Army, brought him to an actual operation in Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat in 2004 and was treated to a boodle fight. "I really enjoyed that," he said. - GMANews.TV