Pacman's fight draws mixed reactions

MANILA, Philippines — A House of Representatives colleague of Sarangani Representative Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao yesterday accused promoters of Pacquiao’s fight with Juan Manuel Marquez of cashing in on the match by robbing the Mexican of a clear victory.

Iloilo Representative Niel Tupas Jr., chairman of the House Committee on Justice, said he cheered for Pacquiao but the fight should have been given to Marquez who he said won convincingly on points.

However, a number of congressmen quickly ganged up on Tupas as they chided the Liberal Party (LP) solon of getting the “wrong view” of the Pacquiao victory borne out from a unanimous decision of the three judges for the fight.

Manila Representative Amado Bagatsing, who watched the fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, said Pacquiao’s victory was convincing, adding that the judges scored the fight fairly.

Representatives Roilo Golez (LP, Parañaque City), Juan Edgardo Angara (LDP, Aurora), and Mark Aeron Sambar (PBA Party-list) also rejected Tupas’ view.

Pacquiao did not only live up again to his moniker Pambansang Kamao (national fist), he likewise proved anew, that he is the national pacifier as well.

This developed after the Philippine National Police (PNP) declared a zero-crime incident during the time Pacquiao was slugging it out with Marquez.

“Virtually no crime incident happened during the entire 12-round title fight by People's Champ Manny Pacquiao with Mexican Challenger Juan Manuel Marquez in Las Vegas, Nevada,” said Chief Supt. Agrimero Cruz Jr., PNP spokesman.

In Samar, burglars broke into an LBC branch in Catbalogan City at 12:35 p.m. yesterday and carted away undetermined amount of cash. LBC is one of the sponsors of the delayed telecast over a local radio station.

In Manila, police reported a theft case when members of the notorious Salisi Gang preyed on a Canadian tourist at the CCP Complex in Pasay City at around 12 noon.

Earlier in Manila, a motorcycle was stolen while parked at 11 a.m. outside the Del Pan Sports Center.

“But elsewhere across the country, the Police Regional Offices reported zero crime indicating a generally peaceful and orderly situation as Filipino sports fans cheered for the Pinoy boxing hero,” said Cruz.

In a related development, soldiers also scored another victory against the New People’s Army (NPA) insurgents as they pursued the local communist rebels in separate operations in Mindanao and Bicol region.

This developed after military officials said that while Filipinos prepared to watch the Pacquiao-Marquez fight, soldiers maintained their vigilance against elements who might attempt to take advantage and stage lawless activities.

Maj. Eugenio Julio Osias IV, 4th Infantry Division (4ID) spokesman, said that at about 5:45 a.m. yesterday, troopers from 58th Infantry Battalion under Lt. Col. George Banzon encountered about 20 fully-armed NPA insurgents in Barangay San Miguel, Gingoog City.

Osias said the scout platoon of 58IB led by 2Lt. Karl Jan S. Devaras, responding to reports coming from civilians in Gingoog City, conducted combat operations against the insurgents believed to be members of the NPA Guerilla Front 4B of the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee. The insurgents were said to be conducting extortion activities in the area.

In Masbate, Maj. Angelo Guzman, 9th Infantry Division (9ID) spokesman, said amid the much hyped Pacquiao-Marquez fight on Sunday, a 15-man group of soldiers encountered about 15 NPA insurgents around 6 a.m. at Sitio Matagbac in Milagros town. (With reports from Aaron B. Recuenco and Elena L. Aben)

Source: mb.com.ph