It was a peaceful Sunday around Cebu City, according to the police. The reason was not the heightened police visibility. In fact the streets were empty of policemen for a couple of hours when Manny Pacquiao was busy sculpting another masterpiece in the boxing ring.
The real reason was that thousands were glued to their televisions to witness Pacquiao fight with unbeaten American Chris Algieri. Like in previous Pacquiao fights, streets around the city turned into ghost towns on Sunday since thousands chose to stay at home.
A decade since the Filipino ring legend rose to international stardom, the police would always announce a peaceful situation around the city every Pacquiao fight. The trend had even become nationwide as the Philippine National Police and the military also would observe a peaceful day across the country during his fights.
However, while the city is always expected to be peaceful during a Pacquiao fight, there's really no need for a police announcement. Because all are expected to be in their houses, there's really nothing to worry about as far as security is concerned unless, of course, if such untoward incident erupts from the fans themselves.
Look, a Pacquiao fight is not like, for example, a Sinulog when huge crowds would troop to the streets – a scene that would sometimes turn chaotic – that a massive police presence is always needed.
Unlike the Sinulog, a Pacquiao fight does not require a massive police presence along the streets. For what's the use of intensifying police visibility when in fact all are opting to stay in front of their televisions?
Now, exactly a decade ago since Pacquiao made a big splash in Las Vegas by routing Marco Antonio Barrera, it's no longer news for the police to announce a peaceful atmosphere during his fights. What is news is when, say, a robber would declare he is not a Pacquiao fan and hit a convenience store at the height of the boxer's fight.
The problem is that the media are quick to call the police for peace and order assessment during a Pacquiao fight. Of course, we cannot blame the police for proclaiming peace. That is because there's no trouble to expect when everyone is expected to stay at home.