Marawi evacuees may watch Pacquiao-Horn fight

MANILA, Philippines -  Evacuees and government troops in war-torn Marawi City will be able to watch live the much anticipated World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title bout between Sen. Manny Pacquiao and Australian challenger Jeff Horn in Brisbane, Australia, courtesy of the provincial government.

Lanao del Sur 1st District Assemblyman Zia Alonto Adiong of the Autonomous Region in Muslim MIndanao said Vice Gov. Bombit Adiong has installed a cable link at the provincial capitol for today’s live airing of the Pacquiao-Horn fight.

The live feed will be open to all the evacuees who have sought shelter in the capitol building due to the on-going fighting between government forces and the Maute terror group that attacked the city last May 23.

“We will have a live telecast of the fight of Sen. Pacquiao on July 2 at the Capitol Compound to make our bakwits (evacuees) happy,” Adiong said.

Muslims and Christians nationwide idolize Pacquaio, and each time he has a bout the whole nation stands still to watch the fights.

Government forces as well as the provincial government have declared the capitol compound a safe zone that is now an evacuation center that has given shelter to hundreds of families displaced by the fighting.

While some soldiers deployed to crush the Maute terrorists might be able to watch the live streaming of the fight, most troopers would not be able to view the fight on live TV.

“We still don’t’ know. But I believe our soldiers have no time for that since it is already a luxury for them if they can have a brief sleep. Those in our rear could not even take a bath, how much more for those who are on the frontline,” an officer of the Joint Task Force Marawi said.

The Army would also sponsor the live broadcast of the Pacquiao-Horn fight in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City and other military camps nationwide.

Lt. Col Ray Tiongson, Army spokesman, said the free live telecasts in Fort Bonifacio will be held at the Army officers clubhouse, at the gymnasium and at the Army general hospital.

“This will give our retired and active Army officers and enlisted personnel, civilian employees and our wounded soldiers the chance to watch the title bout,” Tiongson.

Pacqiuao is an Army reserve officer with the rank of lieutenant colonel.

Pray for Pacman

An official of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) called on supporters of the boxer to pray for Pacquiao instead of placing bets on him. 

CBCP-Episcopal Commission on Migrants and Itinerant People chairman Bataan Bishop Ruperto Santos yesterday encouraged Filipinos based here and abroad to pray for Pacquiao to win against Horn.

“Let us hope and pray for Sen. Manny’s win. He brings honor to our country. He makes us proud to be a Filipino. Let us support him and encourage him for a win,” said Santos. 

He said that Pacquiao’s supporters should not place bets on the boxing match because gambling is considered a sin. 

“But let us not gamble for this boxing fight, don’t waste your hard earned money with betting, with games of chance. Remember betting is gambling and gambling is sinful,” he added.

He also said that earning money from gambling does not bring genuine joy.

“There is no joy, there is no glory with easy money through gambling and corruption. Just watch and enjoy the match. Don’t bet. Don’t gamble,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) urged boxing fans who would watch the Pacquiao-Horn bout on television in restaurants to park their vehicles properly to avoid a paying fine for illegal parking. – Jaime Laude, Evelyn Macairan, Robertzon Ramirez