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Army ready to down arms for boxing star

The Philippine army was due to briefly put on hold its battle against insurgents while political squabbling is also suspended as the country prepared to cheer on boxer Manny Pacquiao in a world title fight in Las Vegas, reports said yesterday.

Military chief General Hermogenes Esperon told the Philippine Star newspaper that the armed forces would have a unilateral ceasefire against the communist rebel New People's Army (NPA) from 8am today to the end of Pacquiao's fight.

"We will have a suspension of military operations with the NPA except when you have to act against [the] enemy," Esperon said.

He expressed hope that the NPA would reciprocate.

"They shouldn't make trouble. Everybody wants to witness another win of Pacquiao," the Star quoted Esperon as saying.

The nation was expected to come to a standstill as Pacquiao tried to wrest the World Boxing Council (WBC) superfeatherweight title from Mexico's Juan Miguel Marquez in Las Vegas.

Prominent officials and showbiz stars were on their way to the US for the fight, which was be aired live on television in the Philippines.

Philippine President Gloria Arroyo's spokesman, Ignacio Bunye, said she was extending her full support for Pacquiao, recalling that during his past bouts traffic and crime virtually ceased.

Arroyo's chief aide, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said that "there will be a ceasefire for a day."

Ermita added that this "might help reduce the tension gripping the country today," referring to the protracted opposition campaign to unseat Arroyo who has been accused of corruption and vote fraud.
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