Piñol says GAB ban no solution

North Cotabato Gov. Manny Piñol said the other day the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) ban on Filipinos fighting in Thailand is not the solution to the problem of human trafficking that led to Lito Sisnorio’s death in an unsanctioned bout last week.

Sisnorio, 24, was transported to Thailand last Jan. 14 for a series of fights. In 2 1/2 months, he was made to face WBC flyweight champion Pongsaklek Wonjongkam (who won the crown in 2001 and has logged 17 straight defenses) and former WBC titlist Chatchai Sasakul. Thai matchmaker Panya Prachakorn also squeezed in a fight for Sisnorio in Korea during that period.

Sisnorio was knocked out in the three fights which appeared to be outright mismatches. The morning after he lost to Sasakul, Sisnorio died of a brain hemorrhage.

Piñol received the go-signal from President Arroyo to claim Sisnorio’s body in Bangkok but cancelled his trip when Philippine Ambassador to Thailand Antonio Rodriguez and consul Stephanie Valera arranged to fly in the remains on a Philippine Airlines flight last Thursday. The body was brought to General Santos City also on a PAL flight last Friday and now lies in state in an aunt’s home in Koronadal.

Although the body was brought back last Thursday, GAB commissioner Angel Bautista and boxing chief Dr. Nasser Cruz pushed through with their trip to Bangkok.

Piñol called the GAB’s ban a knee-jerk reaction to the tragedy.

"The ban hurts the legitimate fighters more than those unauthorized to go to Thailand," said Piñol. "You don’t prejudice everyone because you can’t control a situation. It’s not a solution. The GAB has been lax for too long in not being able to do anything to stop the human trafficking of boxers. This problem isn’t new. Something must be done to stop it now before more fighters are injured or killed."

A reason why boxers avoid getting GAB clearance to fight abroad is the high cost of a permit which is given only after a CT-scan and medical tests. Another reason why boxers leave without informing their managers is to save on the cut on their purses they would otherwise share.

The GAB could easily provide the Bureau of Immigration and airport authorities with a list of retired, suspended and active fighters to rein in on unauthorized departures.

"Even as Lito is not from my home province, he lived in Kidapawan so I feel I must do something for his family," said Piñol. "I am offering a legal team for the family to pursue a case against those responsible for bringing Lito to Thailand to fight illegally. I will also explore the possibility of putting pressure on the Thai promoters to give Lito’s surviving relatives the compensation they deserve."

Thai promoter Virat Vajivatanawongse has promised to remit the equivalent of P135,000 as insurance payment to Sisnorio’s family as death insurance. Piñol said the amount is not enough to pay for a human life.

"I’m studying how to compel the Thai promoters to give Lito’s family what is rightfully due," said Piñol. "I don’t think we can put them in jail because they’re in Thailand and we’re in the Philippines but on the international level, there may be something we can do to exert pressure."

Piñol said he has assigned lawyer Russel Abonado to coordinate with Sisnorio’s family in filing a case. Sisnorio’s stablemate Michael Rodriguez, who left with the late fighter and Rodel (Kid) Orais for Bangkok last January, has identified Panya and Filipino agents Rey Paciones and Bong Obero as their brokers. Paciones, 41, is a former Philippine superflyweight champion who fought as a pro from 1985 to 1993. Rodriguez pointed to Paciones as Obero’s assistant.

Last Wednesday, Piñol sent his executive assistant Joemar Campo to confer with Sisnorio’s brother Gerry on how to make amends for the tragedy. Piñol sent a token amount of P2,000 for Sisnorio’s impoverished parents.

Manny Pacquiao’s marketing chief Eric Pineda is coursing a donation of P50,000 from the Pacland community for Sisnorio’s family through Piñol.

"Lito fought in our cards in Kidapawan and was a sparmate of some of our prospects," said Piñol. "He was close to us, like an adopted son of North Cotabato. After every fight, he would bring back rice and some money for his parents. He was a good kid. We don’t want his life to go to waste and not bring those responsible for his death to justice."