MANILA, Dec. 7 ? Armed Forces chief Gen. Alexander Yano welcomed the victory of Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao over his Mexican opponent Oscar dela Hoya at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. ?We are one with the nation in celebrating the victory of People’s Champ Manny Pacquiao. His triumph is a triumph for the whole Filipino people, whom we witnessed to have stood together as one nation to support, cheer, and pray for Manny during his fight,? said Yano. Yano, Army chief Lt. Gen. Victor Ibrado and Defense Secretary Gilberto Ibrado watched the fight at the Army gym in Fort Bonifacio with thousands of officers and men, and their dependents. Pacquiao is a reserve Army master sergeant. ?M/Sgt Manny Pacquiao?s monumental victory has once again inspired the men and women of the AFP to perform their mission with priceless gallantry and courage as protector and defender of the people. Perceived vulnerability shall never dampen our spirit in accomplishing our mission,? said Yano. ?With sheer determination in facing a formidable adversary, we can be victorious. These are the lessons we derive from Manny?s victory. Mabuhay ka Manny,? added Yano. Other military camps also showed the fight for free, including at the military general headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo and at the Air Force headquarters in Villamor Air Base. For his part, National Capital Region Police Office chief Director Leopoldo Bataoil said the fight has once again caused a zero crime rate in Metro Manila. ?Zero crime rate in NCR during the Pacquiao fight, except for a lost wallet in a crowd of watchers in Tondo (in Manila) at the public free viewing area due to excitement,? said Bataoil.
