Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. on Monday urged the government to tap boxing champion Manny Pacquiao to seek a peaceful end in the hostilities in southern Philippines.

Pimentel said now is the time for the world’s “best pound-for-pound fighter” in the ring to buckle up for work as the country’s ambassador for peace and understanding. “Pakinabangan na nila si Manny Pacquiao … Huwag munang all out offensive sapagkat lalong lalaki ang gulo. He should go out there and talk to the leaders of the rebels para tigil putukan muna [at] maghanap ng solusyon,” he told reporters. (We should get Pacquiao to work as the peace ambassador instead of employing an all-out offensive because it would only worsen the situation. He should help find a solution to the problem by talking with the leader of the rebel group.)

Pimentel gave the suggestion less than a week after government forces clashed with Abu Sayyaf rebels in Basilan, resulting to the death of 23 soldiers 31 combatants. Pimentel said Pacquiao would be a good negotiator since he is loved by both the Muslims and Christians.

“As of now, for the immediate effect, palagay ko siya lang, for the moment, sapagkat ang gobyerno ‘pag magpapasok ng iba, kailangan may all inclusive proposal na matatanggap kaagad (I believe only Pacquiao is acceptable to both sides because anyone from the government needs to get the nod of the parties.)

He noted that no amount of troops and war machines would put an end to the deep seethed Moro insurgency in Mindanao.

“The more firearms you send there (in Mindanao), the more problem,” said Pimentel, who comes from Cagayan De Oro City.

Full Story: GMA News/Yahoo PH