Residents of Zamboanga City, as well as soldiers in the southern Philippine city, joined the whole country in cheering for boxing champ, Manny Pacquiao, as he showered his opponent Miguel Cotto with heavy punches.

Free public viewing of the fight was set up in several gymnasiums in the city, where boxing enthusiasts flocked.

Officers and soldiers of the Armed Forces’ Western Mindanao Command (WesMinCom) also gathered at the military gym , tagging along their wives and kids, who also rose to their feet in excitement everytime “Pacman” brought Cotto down. Cotto went down during the third and fourth rounds.

Maj Gen Benjamin Dolorfino, WesMinCom, said that once again Pacquiao brought honor to the Armed Forces of the Philippines and to his countrymen.

Edgar Araojo, Akbayan partylist group regional secretary general, meanwhile said, "Pacquiao is the only good thing that has happened to the Philippines in 8 years."  by Queenie Casimiro, ABS-CBN News Zamboanga