DAVAO City Mayor Sebastian "Baste" Duterte said he would agree to a fistfight with Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Nicholas Torre—but only if all elected officials are required to undergo a hair follicle drug test.
"These are my conditions, pakiusapan mo yang amo mong presidente (Talk to your president) and let it come out from his mouth that all elected officials should undergo a hair follicle drug test," Duterte said in a teaser of his Basta Dabawenyo podcast released on July 24.
The full episode, where Duterte expands on his response, is set to air on Sunday, July 27.
Duterte responded after Torre accepted his earlier challenge to a fight, but on the condition that it be a charity boxing match to benefit victims of the Southwest Monsoon.
“If Torre is serious about charity, then I’m serious about my condition,” Duterte said, adding that he had long been ready for a fistfight with an “unggoy” (monkey).
He also questioned why Torre had to link their supposed fight to ongoing flooding in the country, saying the police chief was deflecting.
Duterte initially challenged Torre to a fistfight, accusing him of acting brave only because of his position. He insisted that Torre is a “coward” and that he could take him on in a real fight.
Torre responded on July 23—three days later—suggesting the brawl be turned into a charity boxing match at the Araneta Coliseum.
"At least, makakatulong kami ni Mayor Baste sa aming mga kababayang nasalanta. Ang proceeds, sigurado maraming manonood diyan eh. So, we can do a charity boxing match. Maybe, 12 rounds in Araneta Coliseum this coming Sunday (At least Mayor Baste and I can help our fellow Filipinos who were affected by the monsoon. There will be a lot of viewers, for sure. So we can do a charity boxing match—maybe 12 rounds this Sunday at Araneta),” Torre said in an interview in Calabarzon.
The tension between Duterte and Torre stems from Torre’s past actions. As CIDG chief, Torre oversaw the arrest of Duterte’s father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, in March this year. He also led the arrest of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy while serving as regional police director in Davao.
Duterte previously claimed Torre’s promotion to PNP Chief was undeserved and not based on merit. RGP WITH REPORTS FROM SNS