Today, there is only one battle that matters.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is observing an ?undeclared? nationwide ceasefire with all rebel groups to lead the Filipino nation in cheering for Manny Pacquiao in his World Boxing Council (WBC) International superfeatherweight title defense against Mexican boxer Marco Antonio Barrera in Las Vegas, Nevada.
AFP chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon Jr. has, in fact, opened to the public the AFP Theater in Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City to accommodate the pay-per-view airing of the fight, the proceeds of which will go to a fund-raising campaign for the benefit of enlisted AFP personnel.
Esperon told The STAR yesterday that all AFP camps would observe the ?unwritten SOMO? or suspension of military operations even for a brief period to enable troopers in camps all over the country to watch and root for Pacquiao, an Army reservist with the rank of duty sergeant.
?There is unwritten SOMO, undeclared SOMO to give way to the Pacquiao fight and to cheer for Pacquiao,? Esperon said.
But just the same, troops in the frontlines are under orders not to let their guard down.
Unlike before, most troops deployed in advance command posts, like the battalions, companies and platoons, including those in the far-flung mountains of Basilan and Sulu, already have their own television sets.
The AFP traditionally declares SOMO with communist insurgents during the observance of religious holidays to enable soldiers to spend these occasions with their families.
The AFP has an existing ceasefire agreement in Mindanao with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) while the government is conducting peace negotiations with it.
Esperon pointed out that even rebels would surely watch the fight and cheer for Pacquiao in this boxing match that would be aired live via satellite on cable TV. GMA Channel 7 will also carry the fight live.
The AFP put up a wide screen for the Dream Cable TV at the air-conditioned AFP Theater, and those who wish to watch the bout without any commercial interruptions will have to pay P300.
Esperon said other military camps have their own cable TV systems where soldiers can watch the match with their families in the comforts of their homes.
Army expects zero crime rate
Not to be outdone, the Philippine Army had made arrangements with Solar Sports officials for the pay-per-view and the setting up of a satellite in the main Army camp to give soldiers and their dependents an opportunity to watch the fight for free.
Army chief Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano will lead his troops today to watch the most awaited rematch between the world?s top WBC Super featherweight contenders at the Philippine Army gymnasium.
After thrashing Mexican boxing icon Eric Morales in the famous Las Vegas fight last year, Pacquiao took time to visit the Army headquarters and join his colleagues.
Yano said the Army is not expecting any major incident in the countryside today, as most Filipinos would be watching the much-awaited ?battle.?
Last year, military and police authorities recorded an almost zero insurgency-related incident in the countryside and a zero crime rate in urban centers during the Pacquiao-Morales bout.
?We also expect that to happen today. We?re all Filipinos who, despite our differing ideological and political beliefs, all have that burning patriotism in our hearts, especially us soldiers. Kaya SOMO muna for half-day (That?s why we will have SOMO for half-day),? Torres jokingly said.
Torres said the Army gym will be open and ready for patrons from 8 a.m. onwards.
No free viewing for Pacquiao?s town mates
While the whole country is primed up for the much-awaited fight, the town mates of Pacquiao in General Santos City are seemingly disappointed upon learning that they will not be able to watch the much-ballyhooed return bout for free.
City public information officer Jose Aponesto III said the city government only offered two-wide screen and security personnel at the Lagao gymnasium for the viewing of the fight to be held this morning at Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Aponesto said the public viewing of the fight in the Lagao gym is being prepared by the promotional arm of Ginebra San Miguel (GSM) and Solar Sports ?and the city government has nothing to do with the accommodation of people.?
Aponesto said the group will sell pocketsize GSM products worth P25, which in turn, would allow the buyer to join the raffle to be drawn on the same occasion.
Free tickets were only given to VIPs and local media who will cover the event.
?We received free tickets during the previous fights of Pacman coming from the city hall and given to us by barangay leaders,? an unhappy resident said in Tagalog.
An observer also noted that restaurants, malls and other establishment offer free live telecast of the Pacquiao-Barrera fight provided that those who will watch the fight will dine or drink.
Meanwhile, Pacquiao?s mother, Dionesia, has offered a series of Masses since yesterday afternoon to pray for his son?s victory.
Meanwhile, Letty Macorol, a city hall employee and a close friend of Dionesia, said the latter has reminded her son to consider retirement given his accumulated wealth.
Pacquiao was a virtual unknown in the international arena when he demolished the highly touted Barrera en route to an 11th round knockout in their 2003 encounter.
That win proved to be the defining moment of Pacquiao?s colorful career, and the beginning of a series of victories against Mexican fighters.
