Pacquiao back today with Jinkee

MANILA, Philippines - Airport officials are expecting a larger than ever crowd to welcome boxing champion Manny Pacquiao today at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) terminal 2.

Fresh from winning his historic seventh world title from Puerto Rico’s Miguel Cotto in a 12-round bout in Las Vegas last Saturday (Sunday in Manila), Pacquiao is expected to arrive on Philippine Airlines flight PR 103 from Los Angeles at dawn today with his wife Jinkee, downplaying rumors that their marriage is on the rocks stemming from an alleged affair with starlet Krista Ranillo.

The rumors of the alleged affair heightened when video footage showed Jinkee sobbing during a thanksgiving Mass in Nevada.

Pacquiao tried to console Jinkee but she merely waved him away and turned her back on the boxing champion.

Manila International Airport Authority general manager Alfonso Cusi tasked assistant manager for security and emergency services Angel Atutubo to secure the exit points for Pacquiao and his entourage.

Pacquiao would be the last passenger to disembark from the plane so as not to disrupt the flow of disembarking passengers.

Atutubo said he would add more security personnel as a support group to prevent Pacquiao and his entourage from being mobbed by supporters.

Atutubo said an area in the terminal’s presidential lounge has been assigned to the media to meet Pacquiao.

Atutubo said airport authorities are trying to prevent the disruption of operations during the arrival of celebrities like Pacquiao.

Pacquiao is expected to proceed to Quiapo Church to attend a thanksgiving Mass to be followed by a courtesy call on his mentor, Secretary Lito Atienza at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Diliman, Quezon City.

From there, a motorcade would proceed along Quezon Avenue to E. Rodriguez Ave., going to Tondo district in Manila before going to Roxas Blvd.

From Roxas Blvd., the motorcade would turn left to Pedro Gil St., then to Taft Avenue and head towards Ayala Avenue in Makati City.

Pacquiao is expected to call on President Arroyo in Malacañang, and they would proceed to the Luneta for a show.

Around 2,000 policemen have been deployed to secure the roads where the motorcade is expected to pass.

“We will see to it that the entourage of Pacquiao would not be mobbed by tens of thousands of Filipinos who are expected to line up in the streets to greet him,” said National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Roberto Rosales.

“We would also manage the flow of traffic and run after petty criminals like snatchers and pickpockets,” he said.

Rosales met with officials of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), the Presidential Security Group (PSG) and Presidential Management Group (PMS) to arrange the welcome for Pacquiao.

“Our security starts the moment he comes out of the airport until he reaches his destination,” Rosales said.

Rosales also ordered the five police district directors to double their efforts to secure Pacquiao and his entourage while they are in Metro Manila.

Rosales added the policemen are under orders to watch out for criminal elements taking advantage of the rousing welcome for Pacquiao.

“We are ready for any eventuality,” he said. – With Non Alquitran