PNP chief Torre says Rizal Memorial Coliseum ready as venue for boxing match vs Duterte
Philippine National Police chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III is not backing down from acting mayor Baste Duterte's challenge to a fight.
On July 23, the PNP chief said he wanted an official boxing match in the ring with Duterte instead of a typical fistfight in the streets. He also wanted the bout to be for charity.
Members of the media, including the Philippine STAR, visited Torre's training session for the charity boxing match at the PNP gym on July 24.
He told reporters that the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila was "already being set up" for the fight on July 27, Sunday. Previously, Torre proposed holding it at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
"Asa kanya (Duterte) na 'yun whether he shows up or not. May mga sponsors na nagsabi na mag-do-donate na lang ng pang-ayuda sa ating mga kababayan na nasalanta ng bagyo at baha," the PNP chief said.
"This coming Sunday, maraming tao na pupunta sa Rizal Memorial Coliseum, and at 9:00, whether [Duterte] shows up or not, we will just continue with the distribution of aid sa ating mga kababayan."
Earlier on Thursday, Sen. Ping Lacson said on X that a credible source told him, "The CEO of a popular resort casino hotel, a well-known philanthropist, is willing to open their ballroom for the charity boxing match between Torre and Duterte."
"For the sake of the many poor flood victims, let's do it!" he added.
Duterte gives his conditions
Duterte responded to Torre's call for a boxing match on Thursday evening.
"Kung gusto mo talaga ng suntukan, bakit kailangan mo pa ng charity charity? [Bakit] kailangan mo pang gamitin 'yung nangyayari diyan ngayon na baha diyan sa Metro Manila," the acting mayor said in a video.
He even laid his own conditions for the match to see if Torre is "really serious" about it.
"Pakiusapan mo 'yang amo mo na presidente, and let it come out of his mouth that all elected officials should undergo a hair follicle drug test. Papalagan ko 'yang charity charity mo na 'yan," Duterte continued, referring to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
"Walang problema, if it will answer the issues nitong bansa natin. I can do that."
What prompted the 'suntukan' dare
On the season premiere of Duterte's talk show called "Basta Dabawenyo," which was posted on YouTube on July 20, he was asked how he could sustain peace and order in his bailiwick with Torre in charge.
"Ewan ko, si Torre naman ang nagsabi na may three-minute response siya. It's his responsibility na walang mangyayaring krimen dito sa Davao," he said, referring to Torre's vow of ensuring three-minute police emergency response times in 911 calls.
Duterte, however, criticized Torre for telling local police how to run things in the city, noting he was born and raised there.
"I know this place. I know the people here. I know how people behave," he said. "Pero 'pag itong nilagay na city director ni Torre, hindi makikinig sa akin, hindi magcocooperate, it's up to them."
Duterte, who was already starting to laugh, claimed that what would happen after the three-minute call is "harassment."
"Do not worry, Mr. Torre. Sanay na ako sa iyo," he said, before accusing the police chief of "kidnapping" his father, former president Rodrigo Duterte. (The elder Duterte has been detained at the International Criminal Court since March 12 for alleged crimes against humanity, with Torre leading his arrest the previous day at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.)
Duterte also claimed that Torre has two years to prepare for his supposed candidacy, as well as having a supposed criminal case.
"Gusto mo ako harasin, harasin mo lang ako. Kasi matapang ka lang naman kasi you have the position. Pero kung suntukan tayo, kaya kita. Ganoon lang," he said. "But you're a coward. You are nothing without your position, sa totoo lang."
Duterte and Torre previously exchanged verbal punches.