GENERAL SANTOS CITY—On the day Manny Pacquiao fought Mexican Erik Morales, this city’s crime rate was unusually down and police attributed it to the fight.
Senior Supt. Alfredo Toroctocon, city police chief, said only two incidents were listed in the police blotter on the day Pacquiao beat his Mexican foe—a stray bullet report and a snatching.
Almost everybody was busy watching the rematch between Pacquiao, the World Boxing Council Super Featherweight International champion, and three-time world champion Morales.
The streets were almost empty as few public utility vehicles went out to ply their routes. But fast food stores, barber shops and bars with cable TVs were teeming with customers.
Many people believe even pickpockets, robbers and snatchers took time off to watch the Pacquiao-Morales fight.
Mayor Pedro Acharon Jr. said Pacquiao made General Santos and the country proud, and that the almost-zero crime rate during the day was a bonus.
Acharon said the city is preparing not only a hero’s welcome but a grand celebration in time for Pacquiao’s homecoming.
Even in March last year, when the Filipino ring idol went home here after losing via a unanimous decision against Morales, Pacquiao was given a hero’s welcome by the city government.
