Torre trains in the rain for charity boxing match vs Baste

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Nicolas Torre III jogged at Camp Crame’s oval in Quezon City on Friday morning in preparation for a charity boxing match against Davao City Acting Mayor Baste Duterte on Sunday.

“Chief PNP jogged around the PNP oval in the middle of the rain. Ten rounds. Part of his preparation for Sunday’s charity boxing match,” PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Jean Fajardo told reporters in a message.

According to Fajardo, Torre is also set to attend conferences after the activity.

Torre previously said that the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila has been set up for his bout against Duterte. 

“Naka-set na actually ang Rizal Memorial Coliseum. A ring has already been set up there para sa Sunday,” Torre said.

Torre also said there are already “sponsors” for the event.  

“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,” Torre said.

(Whether he shows up or not, there are sponsors who have said they will just donate aid to our countrymen affected by the tropical cyclones and flood.)

Machismo

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla, meanwhile, said Duterte should have instead focused on helping the people affected by the bad weather instead of challenging Torre for a fistfight.

“People here in Luzon and parts of Visayas have been suffering from 10 days of continuous rain. 50,000 fishermen have not gone out to sea to earn a living,” he told GMA News Online.

“He picks a fight to show his machismo. He should have helped the people instead. It shows poor character and zero empathy to the people who matter,” he added.

For Remulla, Duterte picked the wrong fight.

“[General Torre] was bullied as a kid. He was short, dark, but very intelligent. From what I gather from his friends, he never backed out of a fight in his life. Even though the classmate was a foot taller and 30 lbs heavier, he never backed down,” he said.

[Acting Mayor] Baste picked the wrong fight,” he added.

Baste’s condition

Duterte on Thursday made one condition from Torre for the bout to push through.

 “Let me lay my own conditions for the event, kung serious ka talaga ha? These are my conditions – pakiusapan mo yang amo 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. Walang problema. If it will answer the issues nitong bansa natin, I can do that.” 

(Then let me lay my own conditions for the event, if you’re serious, okay? These are my conditions – ask the President and let it come out of his mouth that all elected officials should undergo a hair follicle drug test. I’ll do it for the charity that you’re saying. No problem. If it will answer the issues of this country, I can do that.) 

While he is ready for the possible bout, Duterte said that he does not buy the idea that it’s for “charity.” 

“Huwag kang mag-alala Torre, kasi matagal ko na talaga gusto makabugbog ng unggoy,” the mayor said in a video posted on social media. 

(Don’t worry, Torre, because I’ve really wanted to beat up a monkey for a long time.) 

“Kung gusto mo lang talaga ng suntukan, bakit kailangan mo pa ng charity, charity? Why do you need…kailangan mo pang gamitin yang nangyayari ngayon na baha diyan sa Metro Manila?” 

(If you really just want a fight, why do you need to say it’s for charity? Why do you need to use what is happening right now with the floods in Metro Manila?) 

In a vlog uploaded on Youtube on Sunday, Duterte mentioned Torre and challenged him to a fistfight.

“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.

(You’re brave because you have the position. But if we fight, I know I can handle you. But then you’re a coward.) 

On March 11, Torre led the arrest of the acting mayor’s father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, as Philippine authorities assisted Interpol in serving a warrant of arrest from the International Criminal Court (ICC) against the older Duterte for crimes against humanity in connection with his drug war. —VAL, GMA Integrated News