Torre starts training for boxing match as venue set for charity event

By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan, Philippine News Agency

SPARRING. Philippine National Police chief, Gen. Nicolas Torre III, starts his boxing training at the Philippine National Police gym at Camp Crame in Quezon City on Thursday (July 24, 2025). News of a possible charity boxing match between Torre and Davao City acting Mayor Sebastian Duterte went viral on traditional and social media, after the PNP chief accepted Duterte’s challenge for a fistfight. (PNA photo by Lloyd Caliwan)

MANILA – Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III on Thursday went straight to training for a possible charity boxing match with acting Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte.

After his boxing practice at the PNP gym, Torre told reporters that a venue, the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila, has actually been set up in case Duterte accepts his challenge.

“Naka-set na actually ang Rizal Memorial Coliseum. A ring is already being set up there para sa Sunday (The Rizal Memorial Coliseum is actually already set. A ring is already being set up there for Sunday),” he said.

“Anytime, I am ready. Now if he’s not there, we will just continue with our activity of giving ayuda to our kababayan (aid to our compatriots).”

Asked about his preparedness, Torre said, “I’m old and according to my trainer, my stamina is not like before, and that I no longer punch hard.”

But despite some hitches, he said, he is hoping that the charity boxing match will push through, as he cited the importance of generating funds for flood victims.

The 54-year-old Torre also emphasized the importance of manning up.

“I am no longer strong but to give our kababayan entertainment so we can have some sort of credibility in showing up, I made some refresher on what I used to do,” he said.

Torre would not confirm if he had boxing experience but recounted his time when he was still a cadet at the PNP Academy.

“When I was still a plebe (at the academy), I experienced being punched while my hands were tied on my back. So, I am just thinking about it as part of the preparation,” he said.

“There was a challenge made, and I just saw this as an opportunity to raise funds and help our kababayan.”

In his podcast on Sunday, Duterte challenged Torre to a fistfight.

The PNP chief accepted the challenge, proposing to turn the event into a charity boxing match for victims of the onslaught of the enhanced southwest monsoon or “habagat.”

Torre, then director of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), led the arrest of the Davao mayor’s father and former president Rodrigo Duterte in March.

Remulla calls out Duterte

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said he fully supports Torre if this bout pushes through.

“Bina-back up ko naman si Chief PNP natin. Well, depende kay Vice Mayor Baste kung ituloy niya pero mag-se-set-up na kami ng ring. Eh naghahamon. At saka, it’s for a cause, di ba (I am backing up our PNP chief. Well, it depends on Vice Mayor Baste if he proceeds, but we will set up a ring. It’s challenging. Besides, it’s for a cause, right)?” Remulla said in a radio interview.

He said Torre is the type of person who would not back down on challenges.

“Sinabi ko naman sa inyo bulldog yan eh, hindi ba pit bull eh, hindi umaatras yan sobrang pagkalalaki niyan (I told you he’s a bulldog, he is a pit bull, he doesn’t back down, he is very masculine),” Remulla said.

He, however, admitted that he would not be surprised if the bout does not materialize.

“Hula ko, wala naman mangyayari diyan. Ano lang yun, kantyawan lang. Yung freedom of speech niya at lahat, allowed naman yan (I’m guessing that will not happen. It was just a tease. Duterte can exercise his freedom of speech and all, that’s allowed),” he said.

Remulla, however, called out Duterte for resorting to such antics.

“Pero, I think he should conduct himself in a better manner. Yung minumura nya yung Chief PNP, mali naman yun. At hinahamon niya ng sapakan, mali naman yun (However, I think he should conduct himself in a better manner. When he cursed the PNP chief, that was wrong, and he challenges him to a fistfight, that’s wrong),” he said.

Remulla said just as President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. advocates for the rule of law, disputes should be settled legally and not through violence. He said Duterte is not setting a good example for children.

“Mayor ka pa naman ng pinakamalaking city sa Mindanao, anak ka ng dating pangulo, mataas ang tingin ng tao sa yo tapos maghahamon ka ng suntukan? Anong sasabihin ng mga bata… na kung galit ka suntukan na lang tayo. Parang doon ako nababahala (You are the mayor of the largest city in Mindanao, you are the son of a former president, people think highly of you, and you challenge someone to a fistfight? Children might think you can settle disputes through a fist fight. That is what alarms me),” he said.