Torre vs. Baste set for Sunday at Rizal Memorial Coliseum, PNP chief says

A boxing showdown between the country's top cop, Police General Nicolas Torre III, and acting Davao City Mayor Baste Duterte has been set up at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila this weekend. 

That's according to Torre himself, as he was asked by reporters on Thursday during his training for the "charity boxing.""

“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,” Torre said.

This was Torre's response as he was asked about Senator Ping Lacson's social media post about an executive of a resort casino hotel who is supposedly willing to provide a venue for the match. 

Torre, meanwhile, 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.)

“Kung wala naman siya ay magdi-distribute na lang kami ng ayuda,” he added.

(If he doesn’t show up, we will just distribute assistance.)

Drug test 

In response, Duterte asked one condition from Torre: “...Then 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 with the showdown, 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 for 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/RF, GMA Integrated News