No more free viewing of Pacquiao fight for cops

Trainer Freddie Roach and Manny Pacquiao at a news conference in Beverly Hills, Calif. AP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—For the first time in a long while, the Philippine National Police will not hold a free viewing of the live coverage of Manny Pacquiao’s fight against Brandon Rios.

Senior Supt. Rueben Sindac said the sponsor canceled the free viewing and decided to donate what it would spend for the viewing to the PNP’s special “Yolanda” typhoon relief drive.

“The (money) that will go to the pay-per-view as well as the resources in hosting the show will, instead, be included in our relief operations, which we are consolidating especially for our policemen,” the PNP spokesperson said.

The PNP leadership did not require its field offices to similarly cancel any free viewing they may have arranged, Sindac said.

But the Armed Forces of the Philippines will push through with the airing of the fight for its soldiers, personnel and their families.

Pacquiao’s fight with Rios in Macau, scheduled for Sunday at 10 a.m., will be shown live at Camp Aguinaldo and at the AFP Medical Center.

Free viewing will also be held in other military camps.

Malacañang, itself, is praying for a Pacquiao victory.

“All Filipinos want to see a victory of our Pambansang Kamao, Manny Pacquiao, and that is why it is part of our prayers and we are certain that all Filpinos are one in hoping that he has the strength and hope to win,” presidential spokesperson Herminio Coloma Jr. said. Reports from Dona Z. Pazzibugan and Gil C. Cabacungan

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