SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union -- Police personnel at the Police Regional Office Ilocos Region (PRO1) headquarters watched inside the camp a live telecast of the boxing bout of Manny Pacquiao.
PRO1 Director Constante Azares Jr. subscribed a pay-per-view of the Manny Pacquiao-Joshua Clottey boxing match Sunday for his men and he watched the fight at his mobile phone while on his way to an appointment.
u201dAng pay-per-view ay pang mayaman, at hindi naman nakakapanood ang ating mga pulis sa ganon. So last month, we thought of this idea for our men at the camp, and for their dependents. Ito ay bonding at relaxation time para sa kanila,” said Azares.
About 130 policemen from the Regional Mobile Group, Philippine National Police (PNP) office personnel and their families, and residents nearby watched the bout at the camp's Concorde building conference room, which Azares temporarily converted for the said purpose, complete with a wide screen television and snacks.
Meanwhile, Police Superintendent Julius Suriben of the Regional Intelligence Division said no crime incident was reported from the four police provincial offices (PPO) morning until the time the Pacquiao-Clottey fight ended.
He was in constant communication with the intelligence branches of the four PPOs the whole morning until after the fight.
The PNP recorded zero crime incident every time Manny Pacquiao has a boxing match. So, its just right that our policemen also enjoy watching him fight, added Azares.
“This is an opportunity even for awhile na i-relax ang focus natin sa police works, mabigyan ng konting kasiyahan ang ating mga kasama dito. Pero alam naman natin na ang mga policemen sa field at sa ibat-ibang units ay nakatutok pa rin sa kani-kanilang trabaho lalo na sa election duties,” said Suriben.
“Bitin ang laban,” said some of those who watched as they expected exchange of blows from the two boxers, and for Pacquiao to knock Clottey down to the floor.
When singer Arnel Pineda sang the last stanza of the national anthem with a higher tempo, an officer remarked, “Bakit ba ang hilig nilang ibahin ang pagkanta ng Lupang Hinirang eh kinakanta na nila yon mula Grade 1.”
Pacquiao won against Clottey in a 12-round bout via unanimous decision.