Pacquiao makes 'surprise visit' at Army turnover rites

Philippine boxing champion and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao made a surprise appearance at the turnover ceremony for the new commanding general of the Philippine Army, Major Gen. Arturo Ortiz.

Pacquiao, a military reservist with the rank of Sergeant Major in the Army's 15th Ready Reserve Division, attended the ceremony Friday with his wife Jinkee.

Outgoing Army chief Lt. Gen. Reynaldo Mapagu announced the presence of Pacquiao after delivering his speech, eliciting gasps and applause from the crowd.

Ortiz, a recipient of the Medal of Valor award, was installed as the 53rd commanding general of the Philippine Army in a ceremony led by President Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Aquino III, the military commander-in-chief.

In his speech, Mapagu thanked his men for their role in the success of the automated elections last May. "When I assumed office, I said I will be focused on achieving results," he said.

A classmate of former military chief Gen. Delfin Bangit, Mapagu assumed the post of Army chief in March. Before that, he was chief of the military's National Capital Region Command.

Both Bangit and Mapagu are graduates of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1978. Ortiz is from PMA Class 1979.

Source: GmaNews