MANILA, Philippines – Life in the streets of the Philippines will stop Sunday, for the much-awaited bout between Manny Pacquiao and Shane Mosley, but the Armed Forces of the Philippines is not taking any chances in case insurgent groups and lawless elements decide to play killjoy, and take advantage of the brief break.
AFP spokesman Colonel Arnulfo Burgos Jr., acknowledged that previous fights by Filipino boxing superstar and Congressman Pacquiao have always been marked by low crime rates and minimal violent incidents reported nationwide. But the military, he vowed, will continue to provide security all over the archipelago.
“In the past, we think even criminal elements and communist rebels take time off to watch Manny fight,” Col. Burgos observed. “It’s been that peaceful. But it always pays to be vigilant. Rest assured that the AFP will continue to provide security.”
He added that traditionally, thousands of people flock to public venues where live coverage of Manny’s fights are aired. “We’ll be fully deployed in these areas as well,” he said.
“We will maintain our security and vigilance. The security measures are for people and not only for military installations,” Burgos said.
He added that the AFP expects thousands of people to flock to venues where live coverage of the fight will be aired. “Of course, there is the possibility that the insurgent New People’s Army may take advantage and attack these venues,” Col. Burgos said. “We intend to step up our intelligence monitoring efforts to deter these.
Col. Burgos did not discount the possibility that AFP forces assigned to these venues may sneak a peek at Pacquiao’s latest pugilistic conquest, and thereby lose sight off the ball.
“Kahit meron pagkakataong manonood and ating mga tropa, magmamatyag at magbabantay pa rin sila. Makakaasa kayo (Even though our troops may watch Pacquiao while on duty, rest assured that we will maintain security measures and even intensify these to make sure no untowards incidents occur),” Col. Burgos said.
Meanwhile, Col. Burgos said the AFP will be airing the fight live on Sunday at the General Headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, and the headquarters of the unified commands of the Philippine Navy, Philippine army.
Live viewing will also be aired for patients confined at the V. Luna Medical Center and the AFP Medical Center, he said.
“The live coverage is free for members of AFP their dependents friends to include their dependents,” Burgos said.
Friday, May 6, 2011
AFP on the ball when Pacquiao steps in the ring
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Navy stops search for missing Chinese diver in Palawan
The Navy had dispached a patrol gunboat and an Islander plane to look for the diver, identified only as Chang, radio dzBB's Palawan affiliate reported Friday.
But the Navy issued a maritime advisory asking fishermen and passing ships in the area to notify it if they see tracees of the missing diver.
Chang had been missing for at least six days, even as Navy efforts to locate him with its Patrol Gunboat 385 proved futile, the report said.
An initial investigation showed Chang went missing off the Tubbataha Reef area after their boat encountered big waves and sank last weekend.
The Naval Forces West said Chang disappeared after waves buffeted the boat carrying eight other passengers.
The boatman and seven other passengers had been rescued.
Philippine Navy launches Admiral’s Cup to mark 113th anniversary
2nd year Sta. Cruz Islands fiesta eyed
PLANS are now underway for the possible conduct of “Fiesta na Isla de Sta. Cruz,” a summer outing at the Sta. Cruz Islands, Zamboanga City.
The Sta. Cruz Islands, known for its “pink sand”, take 10 to 15 minutes boat ride from Zamboanga City.
Mayor Celso Lobregat and Naval Forces Western Mindanao (MFWM) Commodore Armando Guzman on Thursday broached the idea of holding the second summer excursion at the Sta. Cruz Island, which was first conducted on April 20, 2008 during the time of former NFWM chief Admiral Emilio Marayag.
The 2008 “Fiesta na Isla de Sta. Cruz” capped live music, beach games and free tours around the islands. It was organized by the Tourism Association of Zamboanga, DOT, and the City Government of Zamboanga.
Lobregat and Guzman are set to meet with the Tourism Association of Zamboanga and the Department of Tourism (DOT) regional office to iron plans for the “Fiesta na Isla de Sta. Cruz.”
Lobregat and Guzman also discussed strengthening coordination between the City Government and the Navy Forces on activities that involve the Peace and Order Council, the Crisis Management Committee and other special bodies where the Navy plays an important role.
Guzman took over Commodore Orwen Cortez, who has been promoted to Vice-Commander of the Philippine Navy.
Guzman is a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class 1980 and was commander of the Naval Forces Central.