AFP on alert; PNP expects lull in crime during Pacquiao fight

Manila, Philippines -  The military yesterday vowed to remain vigilant during the bout of champion boxer Manny Pacquiao on Sunday even if hardly any violent incidents were recorded during his previous fights.

The Philippine National Police (PNP), on the other hand, is expecting a lull in crime incidents on the day of the fight.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr. said soldiers on duty on Sunday would remain at their posts and would have to settle for watching replays of the fight.

“The AFP will not let its guard down on the day Manny Pacquiao defends his WBO (World Boxing Organization) welterweight championship title against Timothy Bradley,” Burgos said in a statement.

“Heightened vigilance will be maintained and security operations will go on as usual while some of the off-duty personnel will have a free live viewing of the much-anticipated boxing match,” he added.

Burgos said soldiers on duty would not leave their respective posts to ensure the safety of the public.

Pacquiao, a Sarangani representative, is an Army reservist with the rank of lieutenant colonel. He was bestowed the rank of lieutenant colonel last year amid criticisms that he wasn’t qualified since he did not finish college.

The military’s major services will host free viewings of the Pacquiao-Bradley fight for off-duty soldiers and their dependents.

AFP chief Gen. Jessie Dellosa will join the soldiers who will watch the bout in the Camp Aguinaldo General Headquarters in Quezon City.

“As a sign of support, we have opened several venues for free viewing inside our camps,” Dellosa said.

He said Pacquiao’s “strong will and determination continue to inspire our soldiers who continue to risk their lives in protecting our people and upholding our sovereignty.”

Aside from Camp Aguinaldo, free screenings will also be held at the AFP General Headquarters Gym and Grandstand in Quezon City; Air Force Headquarters gym in Pasay; Army Wellness Center, Army Officers’ Clubhouse, and Army General Hospital in Taguig; the Navy Officers’ Club in Manila, and the Naval Base multipurpose hall in Cavite.

All six naval forces in La Union, Legaspi, Puerto Princesa City, Cebu, Zamboanga, and Davao will also allow their troops to watch the bout.

Soldiers who are confined at the AFP Medical Center on V. Luna Street in Quezon City will also have the chance to witness the match at the hospital’s auditorium.

Field units are also expected to open their camps to soldiers and their dependents who wish to watch the fight.

PNP chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome will lead some 1,500 PNP personnel stationed at the PNP national headquarters in watching the free screening of the fight live at the PNP Multi-Purpose Center where the PNP’s personal insurance provider, Public Safety Mutual Benefit Fund (PSMBFI), has set up a wide screen that will telecast the fight via live feed.

Meanwhile, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) Episcopal Commission on Family and Life (ECFL) executive secretary Fr. Melvin Castro said Pacquiao and wife Jinkee should not let their children watch the fight because it is a violent sport and might have psychological effect on the youngsters.

Pacquiao brought his kids to Las Vegas to watch his fight live. – With Cecille Suerte Felipe, Evelyn Macairan