Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III has dismissed as “fake news” claims that police personnel were ordered to attend his charity boxing match against acting Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte.
The allegation came from retired Brig. Gen. Filmore Escobal, who posted supposed text messages suggesting mandatory attendance. Torre refuted this and shared screenshots of Escobal’s post, calling out the misinformation.
“Hindi po totoo na inobliga natin ang mga pulis na umatend sa charity boxing match. Hindi po kailangan kasi kinulang na nga kami ng ticket na maibenta di ba?” Torre said in a Facebook post.
The match, held Sunday morning at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila, ended without a fight. Duterte, who previously said in a podcast that he could take on Torre in a fight, did not show up. Immigration records later confirmed that he had already flown to Singapore.
Torre was declared winner by default. The event, which reportedly gathered more than 2,000 people, raised over P20 million in donations and relief items. Torre said the proceeds will benefit flood victims through the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Philippine Red Cross, and its Quezon City chapter.
Torre went further, accusing Escobal—former Davao regional police director—of spreading lies out of personal bitterness. “Ito ay gawa gawa lamang ni retired Brigadier General Filmore Escobal… isa sa mga heneral na kasama ni Digong nung hinuli ko siya at ipinadala sa The Hague,” Torre wrote, referencing the controversial arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
He added that Escobal avoided confronting him directly at Villamor Airbase during Duterte’s transfer, and said, “Parepareho lang silang mga duwag.”
Gen. Torre had supervised Duterte’s arrest by the International Criminal Court. The former president is now detained in The Hague over alleged crimes against humanity linked to his bloody war on drugs.
