Pacquiao visits troops in Marawi amid war

Sen. Manny Pacquiao on Saturday urged soldiers in Marawi City to vigorously restore law and order in the area, convinced it can be accomplished even sooner than expected.

Pacquiao, an international boxing icon, held a brief meeting with Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr. of the Western Mindanao Command and other military officials while in Marawi City.

Also present in the meeting were Brigadier Generals Joselito Bautista, Emmanuel Salamat of the Philippine Marine Corps, Ramiro Rey of the Joint Task Force Ranao and Felicisimo Budiongan of the Mechanized Infantry Division.

Pacquiao arrived in Marawi City on board a private helicopter that landed inside the sprawling compound of Camp Ranao, the command base of the Army’s 103rd Brigade, located in a strategic spot there.

Pacquiao, a reservist-colonel in the Philippine Army, wore the regular brown-shaded Special Forces camouflage uniform during his engagement with soldiers in Camp Ranao.

"Huwag kayong sumurrender dahil kumbaga sa boxing, nasa last three rounds na lang tayo ngayon at malapit nang matapos," Pacquiao told enlisted soldiers and officers during a traditional military “talk to the men” dialogue that he presided over.

Army and Marine servicemen told reporters their morale was boosted by Pacquiao’s visit to Marawi City.

“Masaya kami. Ito ay isang pagbigay pugay sa aming paghihirap,” a Marine officer, who requested anonymity, said.

An Army Scout Ranger, Pfc. Allan Benbinuto, said he and his companions were honored by the senator’s visit to Marawi City.

Benbinuto is still recuperating from an eye injury he sustained in an encounter with Maute terrorists last month.

Galvez said the brief engagement of Pacquiao with soldiers in Marawi City was “very positive” for military units clearing the area from Maute terrorists.

“We are very grateful to Senator Pacquiao for spending time with the troops,” Galvez said.