AFP joins the People’s Champ in fight against poverty

by Jell E. Guzman

Philippine Information Agency, Saturday, May 7, 2011

QUEZON CITY, May 7 (PIA) – Tomorrow, May 8, the whole nation will again be watching one of the biggest boxing match of the year.

And to show their support to their idol, the Armed Forces of the Philippines will have a free live viewing of the people’s champ and pound for pound king Manny Pacquiao’s fight against former world welterweight champ Sugar Shane Mosley.

Armed Forces chief Eduardo SL Oban Jr. said the AFP believes that what makes Manny’s fight more relevant to the people is not about winning another championship belt, but because his fight is a symbol of the Filipino’s battle against poverty.

“His fight implies that there is no greater victory than winning over poverty that breeds insurgency,” said Oban.

Oban also said that the AFP is one with the Filipino people in supporting Pacquiao, who is also a military reservist and continues to inspire thousands of Filipino soldiers who are ready to sacrifice their lives to win peace.

The free live viewing will be open to all AFP personnel, to include civilian personnel, retired soldiers, as well as their dependents and other viewers.

Venues will be at the AFP Wellness Center and at the AFP Grandstand in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City; Philippine Navy Multi-Purpose Hall at Roxas Boulevard, Manila; Philippine Army Gymnasium in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City; and at the Philippine Air Force Gymnasium at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.

Meanwhile, soldiers confined at the AFP Medical Center in V. Luna, Quezon City will also have a chance to watch the much-awaited boxing match at the V. Luna Auditorium.

At least 10,000 boxing enthusiasts are expected to watch the Pacquiao-Mosley fight in the different venues prepared by the AFP.

(AFP/RJB/JEG-PIA-NCR)

Military vows to be on alert while watching Pacquiao fight

By Dona Pazzibugan
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Friday, May 6, 2011

MANILA, Philippines—The Armed Forces of the Philippines said soldiers, especially those in the frontlines, would still be vigilant during Manny Pacquiao's fight against Shane Mosley on May 8 as major military camps around the country are expected to provide their soldiers free live telecasts of the fight in Las Vegas.

“We're having this free live viewing but we will maintain our vigilance. I'm sure there will be similar events like this in the different field units. We're asking troops in the field to maintain their vigilance and ensure that security measures are undertaken during the fight,” Col. Arnulfo Burgos, chief of the AFP Public Affairs Office, told reporters on Friday.

Burgos said they were not taking anything for granted even if less crimes and skirmishes with rebel groups had been reported during Pacquiao's fights in the past.

“We will continue to step up our intelligence collection efforts even if our troops have the chance to watch the fight. We would make sure we will maintain security measures and even intensify them further to make sure it would be very peaceful,” he said.
In Metro Manila, some 10,000 soldiers and their families are expected to watch Pacquiao's latest bout in specially designated public places at the Camp Aguinaldo general headquarters and the headquarters of the Philippine Army, Philippine Navy and the Philippine Air Force.

Battle casualties confined at the AFP Medical Center (formerly V. Luna Hospital) would also get to watch the fight for free.

Pacquiao is an Army reservist with the rank of senior master sergeant, the highest rank that can be given to enlisted personnel.

Philippine Daily Inquirer