Free Pacquiao tickets for MNLF, NPA

Organizers of the upcoming IBF duel between champion Manny Pacquiao and Thailand’s Fahprakorb Rakkiatgym have found a novel way of assuring fight fans that the event will run through smoothly at Davao’s Rizal Memorial College Gym on Oct. 26.

In an interview with media, North Cotabato Gov. Manny Piñol revealed that Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte has offered the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, Moro National Liberation Front and the New People’s Army sixty tickets to watch the fight live at the venue. Each ticket costs P50,000 (roughly $1,000) bringing the whopping total of freebies to P3 million ($60,000).

The free tickets dangled by event organizers are only one of the many security measures to be taken up to assure fans of total security when Pacquiao makes his third defense of the IBF 122-Ib tiara.

"There will also be K-9 dogs to be scattered around the venue," said promoter Soc Piñol in a separate interview with this writer. "Also, we are deploying enough PNP contingent in time for the event."

Security concerns for the Oct. 26 event were raised following bombing incidents in the cities of Kidapawan and Zamboanga. Promoters, however, are confident with proper planning and coordination, everything will fall into place come fight night, dubbed as "Duel in Davao."

Meanwhile, both Pacquiao and Rakkiatgym will fly to Cebu on Oct. 22 to pay a courtesy call on President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. The rivals will then fly back to Davao the following day.

Supporting the Pacquiao-Rakkiatgym tussle is the 10-round dukeout between ex-WBC featherweight boss Goyo Vargas of Mexico against Davao’s Christopher Saluday.