QUEZON CITY — Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Police General Nicolas Torre III was seen jogging in the rain at Camp Crame’s oval on Friday morning, gearing up for his upcoming charity boxing match against Davao City Acting Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte.
According to PNP spokesperson Brigadier General Jean Fajardo, Torre completed ten laps under the rain as part of his final preparations for Sunday’s highly anticipated match. “He jogged ten rounds despite the downpour. It’s part of his training for the event,” Fajardo said in a message to the media. After his morning workout, the PNP chief was scheduled to attend several meetings and conferences.
The match is set to take place at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila, where a boxing ring has already been installed. Torre confirmed the venue readiness, noting that logistics and event setup were finalized in advance. “The ring is ready at Rizal Memorial for Sunday,” he previously said.
Sponsors Pledge Donations
Torre revealed that the event has already attracted support from sponsors, regardless of whether Duterte actually appears at the venue. “There are sponsors who have said they would still donate aid to those affected by the recent typhoons and floods, even if the match doesn’t push through,” he shared.
Remulla: “Baste Should Help, Not Pick Fights”
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla weighed in on the issue, criticizing Duterte for choosing to engage in a fistfight instead of responding to the needs of those affected by widespread flooding across Luzon and parts of Visayas.
“People have been struggling with over a week of nonstop rain. Around 50,000 fisherfolk haven’t been able to work,” Remulla said. “He’s showing off machismo at a time when compassion is needed. This reflects poor leadership and a lack of empathy.”
Remulla also described Torre’s background, defending the general’s readiness for the challenge. “He was bullied as a child—short, dark-skinned, but brilliant. He never backed down from a fight, no matter how big the opponent was,” Remulla added. “Baste picked the wrong fight.”
Duterte Demands Drug Test Before Bout
Duterte, however, threw in a condition before committing to the boxing match. In a video posted online, he challenged Torre to convince President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to publicly require all elected officials to undergo hair follicle drug testing.
“If you’re serious, ask the President to say it himself—mandatory drug tests for all elected officials,” Duterte said. “If that happens, I’ll go along with your charity event. No problem. But don’t pretend this is just about helping people.”
Duterte also questioned the motive behind the event, casting doubt on its charitable nature. “If you just want a fight, why frame it as charity? Why use the flood situation in Metro Manila?” he asked.
In a now-viral video, Duterte further insulted Torre, saying, “Don’t worry, Torre, I’ve been itching to beat up a monkey for a long time.” He later called the PNP chief a coward and claimed Torre’s courage only comes from his position of power.
Background: Tensions Rooted in Duterte Arrest
Tensions between the two escalated earlier this year when Torre led the arrest of Duterte’s father, former President Rodrigo Duterte. The arrest, assisted by Interpol and Philippine authorities, was related to an international warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged crimes against humanity linked to the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign.
The upcoming match, originally promoted as a light-hearted charity event, has since taken a more contentious tone, with political undertones and personal attacks dominating the narrative. Whether the match will push through remains to be seen, but the public spotlight is firmly on both figures as Sunday approaches.
