PNP Chief Starts Training Amid Boxing Match Challenge
Philippine National Police chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III has officially begun training for the proposed boxing match against acting Davao City Mayor Baste Duterte. This development marks a new chapter in their ongoing public feud, with the keyphrase proposed boxing match appearing early as part of the latest exchanges between the two officials.
Last Sunday, Mayor Duterte claimed on his podcast that he could easily defeat Torre in a fight. The PNP chief accepted the challenge the following Wednesday, suggesting that their bout be turned into a charity event to help victims of recent severe flooding. However, Duterte responded with a condition – for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to require all elected officials to undergo a drug test before agreeing to the match.
PNP Chief Stays Silent on Drug Test Demand
The police spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo explained that the PNP chief chose not to reply to Duterte’s demand for drug testing, as he only responded to the initial fight challenge. Despite this, Torre remains committed to the event and started his training last Thursday at the PNP Gymnasium in Camp Crame, Quezon City.
Preparations are underway for the boxing match to be held at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila this Sunday morning. Fajardo assured the public, “Whether or not Mayor Baste shows up, the Chief PNP will be there.”
Charity Event for Flood Victims Gains Support
According to the PNP spokesperson, several sponsors have pledged support for the charity fundraiser. Although Fajardo did not disclose specific names or the number of sponsors, he confirmed that both cash and in-kind donations have been collected. These contributions will be handed over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development for distribution to flood victims.
Meanwhile, Mayor Duterte was reported to have traveled to Singapore on Friday, according to sources from the National Bureau of Investigation.
Longstanding Public Rivalry Between Torre and Duterte
The tension between the two officials is not new. When Torre served as the Davao Region police director, he reassigned 19 police commanders loyal to former President Rodrigo Duterte in July 2024. Torre also led police operations during the standoff with the Kingdom of Jesus Christ religious sect between August and September 2024, targeting its leader and Duterte ally Apollo Quiboloy.
Additionally, as head of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, Torre was instrumental in coordinating with international authorities for the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant against the elder Duterte in March.
This boxing match proposal is the latest in their ongoing public confrontations, blending political rivalry with a unique challenge for charity.
For more news and updates on the proposed boxing match, visit Filipinokami.com.
