MANILA - Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa on Sunday said he opted not to attend Senator Manny Pacquiao's welterweight championship fight in Australia because he has learned his lesson on accepting all-expense paid trips.

"Gusto mong kasuhan ako ng Ombudsman? Nadala na ako," Dela Rosa said in a phone interview with radio DZMM.

The Office of the Ombudsman last year investigated the country's top cop for admitting that Pacquiao shouldered the tickets, accommodation and even allowances for Dela Rosa and his family when they watched the senator's match against Jessie Vargas in Las Vegas.

• WATCH: Bato has Pacquiao's back in Las Vegas

Dela Rosa said Pacquiao invited him anew to watch his fight against Jeff Horn in Brisbane, Australia on Sunday, but he declined.

"Sabi nga ni Senator Pacquiao sa akin, 'Sige lang pre. Mag-wig ka para hindi ka mapansin dito...' Sabi ko, 'Wala pre. Makasuhan tayo sa Ombudsman kung pupunta ako d'yan kaya tiisin ko na lang dito," he said.

(Senator Pacquiao told me, 'Just wear a wig so you won't be recognized here. I told him, 'No, I can't. The Ombudsman will file charges against me if I go there.)

The police official also said he cannot leave the country amid the ongoing battle between state troops and Islamic State-linked militants in Marawi City.

"Sana may magdala ng TVplus sa mga Maute sa loob, iyung mga negotiator. Break muna, manood muna kayo ng laban ni Pacquiao. Kami rin dito sa government side, manood din para tahimik," he added in jest.

(I hope someone brings TVplus black boxes to the Maute terrorists and negotiators. They could use a break and watch Pacquiao's fight. The government side will do the same so that there will be peace.)

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