MANILA, Philippines – There is no ceasefire with the communist New People’s Army (NPA) but the military is confident that the rebel group will not conduct any attack on Sunday during the fight between “Sugar” Shane Mosley and 8-division boxing champ and Philippine military reservist Manny Pacquiao.
Col. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos, Armed Forces public affairs office chief, said the military will remain vigilant on Sunday even as the whole nation watches the People’s Champ stake his World Boxing Organization welterweight crown against Mosley.
“Cases in the past show there is very low crime rate, there is less monitored aggression or untoward incident when there is live coverage of the fight of Manny Pacquiao. There is less violence,” he told reporters.
He added: “We will maintain our security and vigilance to be sure it will be peaceful. The security measures are for people and not only for military installations.”
The military spokesman said the entire AFP is backing Pacquiao who is a reservist with a rank of Senior Master Sergeant.
He said he expects 10,000 soldiers and dependents to flock to different military venues that will air live coverage of the Pacquiao-Mosley fight.
“On Sunday, there will be 4,000 expected audience in AFP wellness center and [General Headquarters] grandstand, 3,000 in Army wellness center in Fort Bonifacio, in Air Force gym around 1,000, and also at the Philippine Navy. There is also live viewing for battle casualties at patients confined at V. Luna in the AFP Medical Center. The live coverage is free for members of AFP, their dependents and friends,” he said.
