DAVAO CITY—His fame as the world’s best pound-for-pound boxer won’t get Manny Pacquiao anywhere when it comes to dealing with Moro separatist rebels.

That much senior rebel leader Eid Kabalu made clear when asked Tuesday about proposals for Pacquiao to help in the peace negotiations between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) following the Aug. 12 deadly gun battle in Basilan province, which resulted in the death of 23 soldiers.

Kabalu said that for the MILF, it did not matter whether or not the members of the government panel were popular or not.

“Popularity alone would not help,” he said in a phone interview with the Inquirer.

The MILF spokesperson, however, clarified that his reaction to suggestions that the boxing icon be tapped for the talks was his personal view.

“If he will formally join the negotiations as a member of the government panel, then we will also issue our official reaction,” Kabalu said.

After being recently named peace envoy by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Pacquiao is getting offers left and right.

Now, the Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group (HPG) wants to make him the face of its campaign for motorcycle safety.

Traffic officials hope to translate Pacquiao’s nationwide following into a weapon for arousing wider consciousness in bike riders to the importance of using helmets.

Pull on the masses

The proposal came up when Pacquiao, an avid rider and a member of his native General Santos City’s Barracuda riding club, visited the HPG headquarters in Camp Crame Monday afternoon.

“I asked if that will be OK with him ... We talked about the possibility of coming up with an infomercial, and he was amenable to being a model,” said Chief Supt. Orlando Mabutas, director of HPG.

“He has a powerful pull on the masses. When it comes to motorcycle safety, they will listen to him,” Mabutas said in Filipino.

Sen. Aquilino Pimentel Jr. earlier urged the government to use Pacquiao as a peacemaker in the Mindanao conflict.

Sincerity and authority

For the government panel to be effective in the talks, its members should have the authority to forge a deal with the MILF, Kabalu said.

“They must have sincerity and, above all, mandate and authority,” he added.

1,933 arrests

“I think people look up to him and follow what he says ... People will follow him if he carries the message that it pays to wear a helmet because you’ll be safe,” Mabutas said.

The PNP has recorded 2,858 motorcycle accidents in the past seven months, with between 300 and 450 incidents reported every month. Traffic police have arrested 1,933 bikers during the same period for failing to wear helmets while on the road.

The HPG is pursuing a “no helmet, no travel” policy in a bid to curb the rise in bike accidents nationwide.

“Every day, people meet accidents ... All we want is to prevent this, and he will be our best model,” Mabutas said.

Who will pay

As regards endorsement fees for Pacquiao—an in-demand poster boy for watches, health supplements, apparel and energy drinks—Mabutas said: “Maybe a bike company can sponsor (our project) because we don’t have money to pay him.”

Mabutas dismissed concerns that the HPG campaign might take on political color in view of Pacquiao’s ambition to run for Congress in the 2010 elections.

“Let’s not inject politics here. As far as I’m concerned, this is only for the success of our campaign for public safety,” Mabutas said.