Kidapawan City -- Jr. Featherweight prospect Lorenzo ?Thunder Bolt? Villanueva of Midsayap, North Cotabato is in a dilemma whether to take his fight against a Thai boxer tomorrow in Magpet, North Cotabato or go home to his hometown instead to help defend against the aggressions made by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in his hometown.
?Na bo-bother talaga ako sa mga nangyayari sa bayan namin ngayon kasi may threat na lusubin ng MILF? (I am really bothered by what's happening in our hometown because of the threat from the MILF). Just like any able minded member of his community, Villanueva wanted to offer himself to defend their community at all means.
?Naiwan duon sa Midsayap ang mga magulang ko at kapatid at di ko alam kung safe sila duon" (My parents and kin were left in Midsayap and I don't know their situation). Villanueva hails from Barangay Upper Glad, Midsayap barely 3 kilometers from the fighting between the MILF and some residents of Barangay Baliki, Midsyap.
?I want to join the CVO in fighting the rebels? added the young boxer. As of press time sporadic fighting has been monitored in Barangay Baliki despite the declaration from MILF Spokesperson Eid Kabalu that they will re-position or withdraw their troops from Midsayap, Aleosan and Libungan Towns in North Cotabato starting 7 am today.
?Mula sa bahay, dinig na dinig ng pamilya ko ang mga putok ng mortars at 90 RRs. Di ako maka focus sa aking fight bukas kasi baka umabot sa amin ang mga rebelde. Sana makatulong ako sa aking mga kababayan na depensahan ang bayan namin (From our house, gunshots are clearly heard from mortars and 90 RRs. I can't focus on my fight tomorrow because the rebels might overrun our place. I wish to help my townmates to defend our place),? said the 19 year old knock-out puncher from the embattled town of Midsayap.
Villanueva has a forminable fight record of 8 wins, no loss with 8 knockouts. He will be going up against Bigmaor Boonchay of Thailand in an 8 round non-title bout tomorrow at the Magpet Municipal Gymnasium in North Cotabato.
"Kung madaan lang sana sa boxing ang pag resulba na kaguluhan sa North Cotabato, ako na ang haharap sa kanila" (If we can only settle the problem in the boxing ring, I will be the one to face them), Villanueva said in jest just to cover up the pressure brought about by the atrocities to his scheduled fight tomorrow.
Editor's Note: MILF rebels have taken over several towns in North Cotabato the past several days, according to reports. Click here for a related story.
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