North Cotabato Governor Emmanuel Pinol has been authorized by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to fly to Bangkok, Thailand today to personally bring back the remains of fallen boxer Lito Sisnorio to the country so his family can give him the decent burial he deserves.
Sisnorio died after a fourth-round knockout loss at the hands of former Manny Pacquiao victim Charchai Sasakul in a fight in Bangkok, Thailand last Friday.
Pinol, who is himself a boxing personality in the country, said he took pity in Sisnorio and his family, and was poised to 'bring back the body at all costs."
"I am leaving for Thailand, and I vow to bring back his body," said Pinol, who will be accompanied by two members of his staff.
Sisnorio used to be based in Kidapawan City, North Cotabato as his registered manager Jemmel Contayoso lives in the city.
Mallon said that Sasakul has been "distraught and has been praying for Lito at the temple."
Mallon, who also writes for the Ring Magazine, also stated: "I think GAB?s decision to indefinitely suspend Filipino fighters from taking part in fights here is a positive step. Now I think stiff penalties need to be enacted to punish any fighter, promoter, manager, or matchmaker from thinking it?s business as usual. Instead of the penalities being a fine or suspension, the penalty needs to be more in line with the punishments for human trafficking."
The Games and Amusements Board, meanwhile, has been swamped with calls to investigate those behind Sisnorio's death, including the manner by which his manager guided his career.
"He (Sisnorio) was tough and I dare say better than his record reflected but in no way was he a world class fighter. Honestly, I think his camp has a lot of questions to answer?.why wasn?t he allowed to fight progressively better fighters instead of being thrown to the wolves? He was a wolf pup in with the Alpha males," said a source.
"There are a lot of people who need to answer questions ? one of which is Virat Vachiraratanawongse, Pongsaklek?s promoter ? why didn?t he ask for the GAB clearance? Lito fought Pongsaklek without this clearance and it was a world title fight ? the promoter and the WBC are supposed to make certain the challenger has the appropriate paperwork ? why didn?t they?" another source queried.
Meanwhile, the Thai insurance company that covered the boxing match involving Sisnorio has promised to pay his family 100,000 baht (roughly 148,000 pesos), according to Bangkok-based journalist Scott Mallon.
The GAB had earlier said that it would also extend some P15,000 from the Boxer's Fund.
Also, members of the Mannypacquiao.ph forum have also started an initiative to raise funds for the Sisnorio family, and had already close to P35,000 in amount raised as of yesterday.
Cebuano sportsman Antonio L. Aldeguer, and US-based Ed De la Vega were among the earliest personalities to donate to the fund-raising effort, proceeds of which will be turned over to Sisnorio's parents.
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