Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III has challenged Davao City Acting Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte to a charity boxing match. During a press briefing at Camp Crame on Wednesday, Torre stated that the proceeds from the match would support relief efforts for those affected by widespread flooding in Metro Manila and other areas due to the southwest monsoon and recent tropical cyclones.
“You know tamang tama dahil marami ang nasalanta ngayon ng bagyo at baha. (This is timely because a lot of people were affected by the typhoon and flooding). Maybe we can use this moment as an opportunity to raise funds in a well charity boxing match,” Torre said.
Duterte had previously challenged Torre to a fistfight. Torre responded, “Naghamon siya ng suntukan and sa atin naman whether he is serious or not let’s put just put this on a better use kung yan ang gusto niya, madaling pagbigyan yan boxing na lang para madali i-setup at gawin. (He made a challenge for a fistfight and for me, whether he is serious or not, let’s just put this to better use if that is what he wants. Let’s make it a boxing match because it is easy to set up).”
Torre proposed a 12-round match at 9 a.m. on July 27 at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, hoping to secure sponsors for each round to maximize fundraising efforts. “I will be there in Araneta. I’ll ask Araneta to set up a boxing ring. Hopefully they will oblige. Siguro you can find sponsors per round may mag sponsor. (Maybe we can find sponsors. There should be sponsors per round),” he said.
If the match cannot be held at the Araneta Coliseum, Torre is open to any gym with a boxing ring. He emphasized that the challenge should be used for a good cause, stating, “Kung ‘yan ang gusto niya, madaling pagbigyan ‘yan, boxing na lang para madaling i-setup (If that’s what he wants, that’s easy to grant—let’s just go with boxing because it’s easier to set up).”
Torre clarified that his acceptance of Duterte’s challenge is intended to raise funds for those affected by recent weather disturbances. “I just see this as an opportunity to help our kababayan and maybe there would be sponsors. For the proceeds that we will raise, we will donate to charity,” he said, adding that he plans to donate his share to support storm victims.
Torre mentioned he would hit the gym for a quick workout in preparation for the match. He also expressed openness to airing the boxing match on social media platforms, urging viewers to donate for storm victims.
This is not the first instance of Duterte threatening physical harm against Torre. When Torre was the regional director of Police Regional Office-Davao, Duterte had previously threatened to slap him for relieving all police commanders of Davao City, following reports of misreported crime incidents.