Peacekeepers on Caballo island to watch Pacquiao fight

In this Sept. 3, 2014, file photo, boxers Manny Pacquiao, left, and Chris Algieri pose for a photo in Los Angeles. AP

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino peacekeepers quarantined on Caballo island will get a chance to watch the upcoming match of Manny Pacquiao against Chris Algieri on Sunday.

Lieutenant Commander Marineth Domingo, navy public affairs officer, said that they will provide three cable television sets with pay per view, as well as a boodle fight.

The peacekeepers are on a three-week quarantine after arriving from ebola-stricken Liberia last week.

Free live screening

Pacquiao’s match with Algieri for the World Boxing Organization welterweight crown will be held at Cotai Arena of The Venetian Macao on Sunday.

It has been a tradition in the military to air live screening of Pacquiao’s fights. The Filipino boxing icon is an Army reservist with a rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

At Camp Aguinaldo, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Grandstand and the Wellness Center will be open to military personnel and their dependents. Up to 3,000 people can be accommodated, said AFP public affairs office chief Lieutenant Colonel Harold Cabunoc.

The Philippine Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio will make available the Officers’ Clubhouse, Army General Hospital multipurpose hall and the army gymnasium.

The Philippine Air Force headquarters in Pasay, on the other hand, will open its gymnasium. The Philippine Navy will also hold a live screening in the social hall in the Bonifacio Naval Station; the conference room in Naval Base Cavite and the Fleet Marine Ready Force Wardroom in Sangley Point; NETC Blain Theater in Zambales; and the multipurpose hall of Naval Sea Systems Command also in Cavite.

Other military bases nationwide will also hold the live showing of the fight.

All of the live screenings are for free as part of the military’s morale and welfare program.

The AFP Medical Center or V. Luna will also open its auditorium for hospital staff and confined soldiers and their loved ones.

However, in Sulu, where there is an all-out law enforcement operations against the Abu Sayyaf, the soldiers would continue to pursue terrorists.

“There will be no let up in the law enforcement operations and I won’t allow the bandits to relax and watch the fight.  Some of my support personnel can enjoy the live viewing at our headquarters,” said Joint Task Group sulu Commander Colonel Alan Arrojado.

RELATED STORY

AFP to Pacquiao: ‘Bring home the tapa’

Free live telecast of Pacquiao fight in various places in Manila