The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will treat its soldiers, civilian employees and their dependents to a free live screening of the boxing showdown between legends Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. on Sunday.
The free live viewing will be held at all major military camps in the Philippines as part of the AFP’s morale and welfare program for the soldiers.
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. See more photos at Inquirer Frame. REM ZAMORA
At least 1,000 soldiers and dependents are expected to watch the fight on the AFP Grandstand at the general headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo. Battle casualties will also be able to watch the boxing match, dubbed the fight of the century, at AFP Medical Center in Quezon City.
Pacquiao is a reservist of the Philippine Army with a rank of a lieutenant colonel. He is an executive officer of the First Sarangani Infantry Battalion (ready reserve).
Spratly Islands
However, soldiers stationed in the nine Philippine-island claims in the Kalayaan Island Group (Spratly) would not be able to watch the live telecast of the fight.
“There is no live telecast available there but some can read the news reports through the Internet,” said Brig. Gen. Armando Banez, the 3rd Marine Brigade Commander, in a statement.
“Some of those who are assigned in remote islets will listen through radio reports.”
Maguindanao operations
Military operations will also continue against insurgents during the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight.
“Those who were part of the security patrols will be out in the field to perform their job,” said Col. Melquiades Feliciano, commander of the Amry’s 601st Brigade in Maguindanao.
“Only those who are inside camp can have the opportunity to watch the live viewing here inside my headquarters in Shariff Aguak.”
In Sulu, a medical mission and a free concert will be held on Saturday ahead of the Pacquiao fight.
Col. Alan Arrojado, commander of the Joint Task Group Sulu, said his troops would continue to hunt down bandits during the fight. RC