Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III has expressed no objection to the challenge posed by acting Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte for a fistfight.
However, the 54-year-old top cop emphasized his desire to turn the confrontation into something meaningful by proposing a charity boxing match instead.
Torre intends to give all proceeds from ticket sales and pay-per-view earnings to the victims of Tropical Storm “Crising” and other recent weather-related calamities.
“You know tamang tama dahil marami ang nasalanta ngayon ng bagyo at baha. Maybe we can use this moment as an opportunity to raise funds in a well charity boxing match,” said Torre.
“Naghamon siya ng suntukan and sa atin naman– whether he is serious or not — let’s just put this on a better use kung ‘yan ang gusto niya. Madaling pagbigyan ‘yan, boxing na lang para madali i-setup at gawin,” he added.
Torre wants it to happen on Sunday, July 27, at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City.
“I will be there in Araneta. I’ll ask Araneta to set up a boxing ring. Hopefully they will oblige,” said Torre.
And for Torre, it should be a 12-round boxing in order to maximize the income-generating project for typhoon victims.
“Siguro you can find sponsors; per round may mag-sponsor. So let’s place their merchandise before each round. So 12 rounds para medyo marami-rami ang sponsors at marami tayong mai-raise na pondo,” said Torre.
But what if the Araneta Coliseum management would not oblige?
Torre said he is ready to do it in any gym with a boxing ring.
Torre, however, clarified that his decision to accept Baste’s challenge is not personal.
“I just see this is an opportunity to help our kababayan and maybe there would be sponsors,” said Torre.
“On my part, I will donate to charity whatever my share, and that would be for those affected by the typhoon and flood,” he added. (Aaron Recuenco)
