Boxing match with Torre hangs in balance as Baste leaves for Singapore

National

ACTING Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte has left for Singapore less than two days before his supposed boxing match with Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Nicolas Torre.

In a report by News5, Duterte was heading for Singapore on Friday afternoon, July 25, a report that National Bureau of Investigation Director Jaime Santiago confirmed.

"Kasama ang pamilya at staff," Santiago said in the report.

Duterte and Torre have been the talk of the town after the Davao mayor challenged the top PNP official to a fistfight.

Torre accepted the challenge, scheduling a charity boxing match with Duterte on July 27.

The PNP has started setting up the boxing at the PhilSports Arena before the news that Duterte was travelling to Singapore came out.

Duterte had actually laid his own conditions for him to face Torre

Duterte said he would only face Torre on the squared ring if all elected officials, including President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., would undergo a hair follicle test.

“Ask President Marcos and let it come out of his mouth that all elected officials should undergo a hair follicle drug test,” said Duterte in his “ Basta Dabawenyo” podcast posted on social media on Thursday, July 24.

Duterte also strongly addressed Torre, citing that he has been waiting for a long time to beat up a monkey.

“Huwag kang mag-alala Torre kasi matagal ko na talagang gusto makabugbog ng unggoy,” Duterte added.

Duterte also questioned Torre's intention behind the charity boxing match.

“If you just want a fistfight, why do you need charity? Why use what’s happening now in Metro Manila? If you are really serious about this… then let me lay my own conditions," Duterte said.

Duterte clarified that he is not against the proposed charity boxing match which is for the victims of the recent Tropical Storm “Crising”, but highlighted the importance of transparency and accountability from the president and all public officials, especially on issues involving illegal drugs.

“Papalagan ko yang charity, charity mong ‘yan. No problem—if it will help address the issues of our country, I can do that," Duterte said.(Marlon Ado Jr., USC Comm Intern)