AFP honors Pacquiao, grants Scout Ranger honorary membership

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Friday honored world boxing champion Senator Manny Pacquiao for his recent victory in the ring and his outstanding achievements.

Pacquiao, who is a Reserved Army Colonel, was awarded the AFP Meritorious Achievement Medal weeks after he defeated American slugger Adrien Broner to defend the WBA Welterweight World Title in Las Vegas.

"As a man of admirable strength and physical endurance, we in the AFP truly hold you, sir, in high esteem and regard for your accomplishments," AFP chief General Benjamin Madrigal told Pacquiao during a ceremony in Camp Aguinaldo.

"Majority of the Filipino people look up to you as a source of inspiration: a living example of a man who rose up from the adversities of life through hard work and perseverance."

Aside from the medal, the 40-year-old lawmaker was also granted an honorary membership in the Philippine Army Scout Ranger.

"Becoming a scout ranger requires strong will, gallantry, and willingness to offer one’s life for the sake of mission accomplishment," the AFP said in a statement.

"The military leadership believes that the ‘Pambansang Kamao’ embodies all these characteristics."

Madrigal thanked Pacquiao for his "efforts and support" particularly noting the bill he filed seeking to revive mandatory military training for senior high school students.

Prior to the awarding, the AFP rendered arrival honors to Pacquiao at the General Headquarters Canopy. He then made a courtesy call to General Madrigal at the AFP Hall of Flags.

In December 2017, Pacquiao was promoted 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.

He first enlisted in the Army Reserve Force with the rank of Sergeant in 2006 with the recommendation of former AFP Chief of Staff, General Alexander Yano. He was then promoted to Technical Sergeant in the same year, rising through the ranks when he became a Master Sergeant in 2009.  —KBK, GMA News