Pacman nearly assaulted in LA

HOLLYWOOD – Filipino boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao was nearly assaulted Sunday afternoon as he emerged from lunch with a large group of family members and friends in his favorite Japanese restaurant here.

A Caucasian man came rushing at Pacquiao, calling him a “homophobe,” as the boxer stood by the door of his Ferrari at the parking area behind Kabuki restaurant along Vine Street near Sunset Boulevard.

The assailant, described as in his mid-30s, was restrained by one of Pacquiao’s Filipino friends here in Los Angeles, Edward Lura, and then subdued by their companions.

According to Pacquiao’s personal assistant David Sisson, a son of American missionaries stationed in General Santos City, the assailant kept hurling invectives at Pacquiao as he was held back.

“He was shouting at Manny. F*** you, Pacquiao! F*** you! You homophobe!” said Sisson, who described the person as “white and quite big.”

During the commotion, Pacquiao ordered his companions not to hurt the man. Johnny Bantilan, a former boxer who’s always close to Pacquiao, almost couldn’t restrain himself from getting back at the assailant.

“Don’t hurt him. Let him go,” Sisson quoted Pacquiao as saying.

The boxing icon from Sarangani, who is running for senator in the May 9 elections, also asked his people to “forgive him (assailant) as God would.”

Immediately, the incident was tied to Pacquiao’s controversial comments against the gay community, when he was quoted on Philippine television as saying that those who practice same sex relationships “are worse than animals.”

Pacquiao said while he was speaking the truth and what the Bible says, what he was trying to condemn was the act, not the person. He has apologized to those whose feelings were hurt by his statements.

The 37-year-old boxer and preacher said his controversial interview was cut and not shown in full context, resulting in what appeared to be his deep hatred against gays.

As a result, giant apparel firm Nike cut its ties with Pacquiao. Just recently, a chic and popular shopping haven here in LA also said the fighting congressman was no longer welcome at the place.

Sisson said the person who tried to attack Pacquiao looked decent enough not to be suspected of having ill intentions.

“I don’t know how he got close but I really thought he was going to hit or punch Manny because he came in fast. He almost got to Manny,” said Sisson, who fluently speaks the Visayan language and Filipino.

“He’s not one of those guys you would think will do something like that,” Sisson added.

Pacquiao normally moves around town with a big bunch of friends and a couple of bodyguards.

Whenever he’s out, either at the Wild Card Gym or anywhere else, Pacquiao is mobbed by fans seeking pictures and autographs.

Pacquiao never turns down or turns away his fans, making it very difficult for his men to shield or protect him from possible assailants.

It’s the first time though that someone had tried to attack Pacquiao.

Sisson said as a result, security will be tighter around Pacquiao when he travels to Las Vegas Monday and moves around Sin City for fight week.

A small group of Filipino police officers based here in the United States serves as Pacquiao’s bodyguards during fight week. Because of Sunday’s incident, they have their work cut out for them.