PNP tells men not to place bets on Pacquiao-Mayweather fight

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has a reminder for its 150,000 men before the upcoming fight of the century: Don’t use your earnings to gamble on the much-awaited Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather Jr. match on Sunday.

Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. pose for the media during the final press conference held at KA Theatre in MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada, on Wednesday. REM ZAMORA/INQUIRER

PNP spokesperson Senior Supt. Bartolome Tobias told policemen not to spend their “meager pay” in placing bets on the Sarangani representative’s bout with the American boxer.

“Maliit lang ang sahod ng pulis, ipupusta niyo pa. ‘Yung risk na manalo, matalo, 50-50. Walang nananalo sa gambling. Better na ‘wag na lang makipagpustahan,” Tobias said in an interview on Friday.

Like in previous fights of Pacquiao, the PNP expects a lull in crime incidents on Sunday. But Tobias assured that the police force would be on its “ordinary course,” performing their duties even during the fight.

In Camp Crame, the PNP headquarters in Quezon City, live viewing is offered for free to off-duty personnel and their dependents.

“This will be done at the multipurpose center. Police officers, with their dependents, just need to present their IDs. Kung kayang i-accommodate lahat, ia-accommodate lahat,” he said.

The multipurpose center in Crame can accommodate 500 up to 1,000 persons.

Will the senator detainees of the PNP Custodial Center be allowed to watch Pacquiao’s fight? Tobias said it was up to the Sandiganbayan to decide.

Senators Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada and Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. are currently detained at the PNP camp while the antigraft court tries their plunder charges in connection with the P10-billion pork barrel scam.

Asked to give a message to Pacquiao, he said: “The PNP is behind him in this fight and the PNP wishes him all the best … Whatever (is the) outcome of the fight, siya pa rin panalo para sa PNP.” RC