Comments Thread For: Pacquiao Denies Being Arrested; Is A Political Hoax

http://philboxing.com/news/story-83401.html http://www.cagedinsider.com/boxing/manny-pacquiao-denies-arrest-for-assault-and-voter-buying/ Boxing star and Philippine congressman Manny Pacquiao was never detained nor arrested from an incident involving him, his supporters and a rival politician in General Santos City last Saturday. This was clarified to Philboxing.com by Pacquiao’s chief-of staff, Atty. Jeng Gacal in his conversation with this writer. “There is no truth to the allegation that Manny Pacquiao was detained. It was the barangay captain who was detained at the police precinct,” Gacal said. According to a report by The Manila Times, Pacquiao and his men were arrested by police authorities and were brought to Camp Fermin Lira Jr. in General Santos City for questioning. (http://manilatimes.net/index/index.php/news/top-stories/47410-pacquiao-mauls-barangay-captain) The said arrest stemmed from complaints made by Barangay San Jose Captain Alfredo Belgica that Pacquiao and his men physically harassed him after a confrontation with the congressman-boxer’s camp two days before the elections. Gacal also denied that allegation and instead pointed out that it was their supporters that were the victims of harassment by Belgica and his camp. Pacquiao according to him responded to the incident when he was informed and called about it late Saturday night. “Manny Pacquiao responded to the emergency call of his village leaders that the barangay captain and his supporters mauled Manny Pacquiao’s men and destroyed their vehicle,” Gacal narrated. “It was alleged that the barangay captain even fired gunshots. Pacquiao together with policemen arrived at the scene to pacify the barangay captain and his cohorts,” added Pacquiao’s long-time chief of staff. Gacal said that paraffin tests were conducted on the barangay captain after the incident and reiterated that “our men did not have guns.” The results of the tests have not been reported yet. Pacquiao was unopposed on his second term as congressman of Sarangani Province while wife Jinkee overwhelmingly won as the province’s vice governor in the just concluded polls. Pacquiao supported city councilor and friend Ronnel Rivera who won as mayor of General Santos City against incumbent Darlene Antonino–Custodio as part of a nationwide election held last Monday. Belgica is affiliated with Antonino-Custodio’s political party. “The news was purely a black propaganda because of the elections,” stated Gacal.