FANS REACT TO PACQUIAO MAULING ALLEGATIONS

By Bev Llorente, ABS-CBN North America Bureau

May 15, 2013

LAS VEGAS, Nevada — Filipino boxing fans here could not believe allegations that re-electionist congressman Manny Pacquiao allegedly attacked a barangay official in General Santos City.

In a report, Alfredo Belgica claims that Pacquiao punched him, and that the fighting congressman rounded up his body guards during a confrontation on an alleged house-to-house distribution of cash and goods in General Santos.

Pacquiao’s camp said it is nothing but “black propaganda” against the congressman.

In an e-mail sent to the ABS-CBN North America News Bureau, Pacman’s lawyer, Jeng Gacal, added that there is no truth to the allegation that Pacquiao was detained.

Gacal said it was Belgica who was detained at the police precinct. Pacquiao only responded to the emergency call of his village leaders.

The barangay captain and his supporters supposedly mauled Pacquiao’s men and destroyed their vehicle. It was alleged that the barangay captain even fired gun shots.

Pacquiao arrived with policemen to the scene to pacify the barangay captains and his followers.

“There is no truth to the allegation that MP (Pacquiao) was detained. It was the barangay captain who was detained at the police precinct,” said Gacal.

“MP responded to the emergency call of his village leaders that the barangay captain and his supporters
mauled MP’s men and destroyed their vehicle. It was alleged that the barangay captain even fire gunshots.
MP together with policemen arrived at the scene to pacify the barangay captain and his cohorts. It’s us who are filing cases against the barangay captain,” he added.
Pinoys in Las Vegas have mixed reactions to the Pacman’s latest controversy outside the ring.

“No, I don’t believe that. Manny is a professional boxer he is a well respected person he is not like that. I don’t think he can do that,” said Bernard Ipac

“Hindi ako naniniwala because I know he is always helping everyone over there, kagaya ng kung may mga disaster na nangyayari doon he always help everybody,” said Helen Nigel.

“Everybody is innocent until proven guilty so he has to prove his case,” was Richard Neyra’s comment
regarding Belgica’s accusations.
One Filipino believes that Pacquiao’s men may have attacked but not the “People’s Champ”

“Maniniwala ako pero ‘yung iba hindi naman naniniwala kase baka ‘yung mga tao niya ang bumugbog baka hindi siya,” said Boboy Demilio.