TIMELINE: From Duterte's 'suntukan' dare to Torre's boxing match prep to Duterte's flight to Singapore
A supposed Torre vs. Duterte bout has become the talk of the town after PNP chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III cheekily accepted a "suntukan" dare from Davao City acting mayor Baste Duterte.
Torre, however, elevated it from being a typical fisticuff in the streets to a full-blown 12-round boxing match in the ring.
The country's top cop didn't want a mere physical showdown. With a proposed date of July 27, Sunday, at 9 a.m, he called for a charity boxing match, whose proceeds will go to the victims of the recent rains and floods.
But it's unclear whether Duterte will show up as he flew to Singapore ahead of their scheduled match.
Here's a blow-by-blow recollection of events leading to Torre and Duterte's situation now.
May 31: Duterte criticizes Torre's promotion to PNP chief
Everything started with verbal punches, with Duterte criticizing the promotion of Torre as PNP chief.
“You have a chief PNP na tatlong ranggo ang tinalunan para maging chief PNP. It's because this is not a merit-based promotion. Pabor-pabor-based promotion," Duterte said during the birthday celebration of his sister, Vice President Sara, in The Hague, where former president Rodrigo is detained for alleged crimes against humanity.
(Torre, then Criminal Investigation and Detection Group director, led the arrest of Rodrigo at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on March 11, in response to the International Criminal Court's arrest warrant transmitted by the International Police Organization.)
He also claimed that Torre was mentally unstable.
"Nobody in their right mind would do what he did, 'yung sinakay niya si PRRD sa eroplano, because he is a police officer. He knows the due process. Kung nag-iisip talaga yun, kung sakto 'yung utak niyan," he said.
"Bagsak sa [neuropsychiatric exam] 'yan, sigurado ako," he added.
June 4: Torre shares reaction to Duterte's attacks
Torre, speaking to the media on June 4, was asked about his reaction to Duterte's attacks against him.
He said he respects Duterte's opinion—only to strike back.
"Rewind-rewind lang nang kaunti sa termino naman ng tatay niya kung sino ang unang chief PNP, okay?" he said.
"Ano ang ranggo ng unang chief PNP [ng tatay niya] at ano ang ranggo ko bago ako naging Chief PNP?" Torre asked, without mentioning anybody.
"So, it really goes back to him, really," he said. "The first Chief PNP of his father is a one-star na naging automatic four-star. Did he ask that? Did he question that?”
Torre was referring to Sen. Bato Dela Rosa, who was a one-star general when he became the top cop in 2016.
July 20: Duterte challenges Torre to a fistfight
Nearly two months after their word war, Duterte attacked Torre again.
In his talk show "Basta Dabawenyo," Duterte 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.
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."
July 23: Torre accepts Duterte's 'suntukan' dare
Torre, speaking to the press again, was asked about his reaction to Duterte's challenge.
He smirked before responding, "Pero you know? Tamang-tama, dahil marami ang nasalanta ngayon ng bagyo at baha. Maybe we can use this moment, this opportunity to raise funds in a charity boxing match."
Torre proposed holding it on July 27, Sunday, at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, noting that it should be a 12-round match.
"Para maganda at para marami ang maraise natin (na pera)," he added, even as he urged finding sponsors who can advertise their merchandise at the start of each round.
In another portion of the interview captured by Radyo Pilipinas, Torre noted that he doesn't mind getting physically hurt.
"Kung magkasakitan, kaunti lang 'yan," he said. "Lakasan lang ng loob 'yan. Pareho naman siguro kaming walang practice. O baka kung nagpractice siya, okay lang din."
In a follow-up interview with the media, Torre said that whether Duterte is "serious or not," their would-be brawl must be put "to a better use."
"Kung 'yan ang gusto niya, madaling pagbigyan 'yan," he said, adding that he will face Duterte at 9 a.m. then.
"I'll ask Araneta to set up a boxing ring. Hopefully, they will oblige," he said. "Kung wala naman, e 'di maghanap tayo ng kung saang gym na gusto [ni Duterte]."
Torre pointed out that he isn't calling it a bluff, but rather seeing it as an "opportunity" to help those affected by the rain and flooding caused by the habagat.
"Sigurado akong maraming mag-iisponsor nito," he added.
July 24: Torre trains for upcoming match; Duterte responds to Torre's acceptance of his challenge
Walking his talk, Torre let members of the press watch him during his training session at the PNP gym in the afternoon.
PNP chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III starts his training for charity boxing match against Davao City Mayor Sebastian "Baste" Duterte. @PhilippineStar pic.twitter.com/9ZGRkVkXsy
— manny tupas (@manueltupas) July 24, 2025
He also told reporters that instead of Araneta Coliseum, the proposed charity boxing match will be held at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila, which was "already being set up."
"Nasa kaniya na 'yun whether he shows up or not," Torre said.
"This coming Sunday, maraming tao na pupunta sa Rizal Memorial Coliseum, and at 9 a.m., whether [Duterte] shows up or not, we will just continue with the distribution of aid sa ating mga kababayan."
Later in the day, Duterte finally responded to Torre accepting his suntukan call.
"Huwag kang mag-alala, Torre, kasi matagal ko na talaga gusto makabugbog ng unggoy," he said in a video message.
"Kung gusto mo lang talaga ng suntukan, bakit kailangan mo pa ng charity-charity? Kailangan mo pang gamitin 'yang nangyayari ngayon na baha diyan sa Metro Manila."
Duterte also laid his own conditions for the match to see if Torre is "really serious" about it.
"Pakiusapan mo 'yang amo mo na presidente. 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 said, referring to President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos.
"Walang problema. If it will answer the issues nitong bansa natin, I can do that," he added.
July 25: Duterte flies to Singapore
7:42 a.m.
Torre shared a video with the media showing him jogging in the middle of the rain.
PNP spokesperson Jean Fajardo said Torre did 10 rounds of that at the PNP oval as "part of his preparation for Sunday’s charity boxing match," she said.
1:03 p.m.
The Freeman reported that the Games and Amusement Board issued Resolution No. 2025-08, series of 2025, to ensure the safety and integrity of the supposed boxing match between Torre and Duterte.
The GAB recommended a "qualified and accredited referee to officiate the Torre v. Duterte boxing match" and "direct its medical personnel to be on hand to assist the participants should the need arise."
1:14 p.m.
Baste's kuya, Davao 1st District Rep. Pulong Duterte, asked Torre to sign a waiver absolving Baste of any legal liability if something happens to Torre, according to News5.
"Kung seryoso siya, mag-sign muna ng waiver," Pulong said, adding that Torre must also submit to a drug test.
"Kung talagang malinis, eh di go," he added.
2:51 p.m.
The Philippine STAR shared photos from the PNP showing that the Rizal Memorial Coliseum has already been setting up the boxing ring for Torre and Duterte's would-be charity match.
3:41 p.m.
One News reported that Duterte flew to Singapore, based on intel from the Bureau of Immigration.
National Bureau of Investigation Director Jaime Santiago confirmed the update, noting that Duterte was with his family and staff.
It's still unknown whether he will make it to the match.
