Just when everybody thought that the Manny Pacquiao-Marco Antonio Barrera boxing match would once again curb crimes, at least for the duration of the match, a bicycle-riding robber took advantage of last Sunday’s festive mood by stealing the side mirrors of vehicles parked along the boundary of Mandaluyong and San Juan.
National Capital Regional Police Office chief Director Geary Barias said all police blotters in Metro Manila precincts were practically empty during his inspection.
He said there were two stabbing incidents and two motorcycle accidents, all of which took place after the Pacquiao-Barrera fight.
“From 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. during the Pacquiao-Barrera fight, the flow of traffic was reduced by 75 percent,” Barias said. “This was expected, just like previous fights.”
He said they did not receive “any incident like quarrels in connection with bets on the Pacquiao-Barrera bout.”
However, suspect Jeffrey Liosa, 24, of Barangay Doña Imelda in Quezon City, was not as lucky as “The Pacman,” who won by unanimous decision.
San Juan City police chief Superintendent Rodelio Jocson said his men caught Liosa stealing the side mirrors of a silver Nissan Exalta parked in front of the Techron building on Luna Mensias street in Barangay Addition Hills at about 11 a.m. The car is owned by Mari Anne Barbara Matias, 26.
Liosa’s backpack yielded 10 pairs of side mirrors. Jocson said Liosa could have earned a minimum of P2,000 with his loot.
“While majority of the Filipinos are glued to their TV sets watching the Pacquiao-Barrera bout, he had something else in mind,” Jocson said of Liosa.
Jocson deployed policemen on the streets Sunday, anticipating a rash of robberies and other crimes by people who may take advantage of the public’s focus on the prizefight.
At the police station, three victims – Jose Caimen, 34; Rosalino Bolina Jr., 47; and Manuel Antonio, 46 – surfaced to claim the side mirrors of their respective vehicles.
Liosa has been detained at the San Juan City detention center after he was charged with robbery before the city prosecutor’s office.