Pacquiao quicker than Thai foe, says trainer

Security will really be tightened up by the Philippine National Police in the Duel in Davao boxing card set on Oct. 26 at 1 p.m. at the RMC gym. This was assured by PNP regional director Supt. Isidro Lapeña to the organizing committee led by Mayor Rody Duterte and Cotabato Gov. Manny Piñol.

Policemen will also be visible before and after the boxing event topbilled by International Boxing Federation (IBF) superbantamweight Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines and challenger Fahprakorb Rakkiatgym of Thailand. K9 bomb-sniffing dogs will also be used to check the venue for possible bombs. The venue will be guarded a week earlier from the day of the fight. Lapeña also supported the idea of Duterte to welcome in the city the New People’s Army (NPA) and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to watch the fight.

"Yes, I’m also willing to support the mayor’s idea, provided that they will come in peace," he said.

Organizers are optimistic that by staging the biggest boxing event in Davao, the image of Mindanao will improve. Last Thursday, seven people were killed and several others were wounded after a bomb exploded at the bus terminal in Kidapawan City.

PNP chief Hermogenes Edbane Jr. said that extortion could be the reason behind the bombing. He cited the previous bombings in Mindanao bus terminals caused by the alleged failure of passenger bus owners to give in to the demands of extortionist.

Duterte has ordered for the putting up of big TV screens with chairs at the Rizal Park, Magsaysay Park and PTA grounds for the deputy mayors, barangay officials and to the public, who can not afford to buy the tickets.

Meanwhile, tickets are now also available at the Park & Shop of Victoria Plaza and at the entrance of the escalator at the third floor of Gaisano Mall.

The main ticket outlet is at ground floor of Bailey Corp. Building, Sandawa Plaza, R. Quimpo Boulevard, Ecoland (near yellow Fin restaurant). For more inquiries, call tel. nos. 298-4052 or 298-4051.