Police General Nicolas Torre III confirmed that his highly anticipated boxing face-off with acting Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte will happen this Sunday at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila.
In a GMA News Online report, Torre said preparations are underway at the venue. “Kung ready sila sa venue, I can show up. Pero naka-set na actually ang Rizal Memorial Coliseum. A ring has already been set up there para sa Sunday,” he said.
The match was prompted by Duterte’s fiery challenge in a vlog uploaded Sunday, where he called Torre out for a fistfight, accusing the police chief of cowardice. “Kasi matapang ka lang naman you have the position. Pero kung suntukan tayo alam kong makaya kita. But then you’re a coward,” Duterte said.
Torre also addressed reports about an alternate venue possibly being offered by a resort casino hotel, a claim made by Senator Ping Lacson on social media. However, Torre made it clear that plans are already in place for Rizal Memorial.
The police official emphasized the charitable intent of the event, revealing that sponsors have already pledged support regardless of whether the match pushes through. “Whether he shows up or not, may mga sponsors na may nagsabi na magdo-donate na lang ng mga ayuda sa ating mga kababayan na nasalanta ng bagyo at baha,” he said. “Kung wala naman siya ay magdi-distribute na lang kami ng ayuda.”
Tension between the two figures escalated after Torre led the controversial March 11 arrest of Duterte’s father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, in coordination with Interpol and the ICC over alleged crimes against humanity.
