THE National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) reported that Davao City Acting Mayor Baste Duterte left the country for Singapore on Friday morning, just days before his anticipated charity boxing match against Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Nicolas Torre III on Sunday.
Duterte departed from Davao International Airport. The upcoming match has generated significant public interest, with many anticipating the bout.
The boxing match was proposed by Torre as a charity event to aid victims of recent calamities after Duterte initially challenged Torre to a fight in a YouTube video last week.
Torre accepted the challenge and scheduled the event for Sunday at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila, stating he would be present regardless of Duterte’s attendance, and aid distribution would proceed regardless.
However, Duterte subsequently posted a video on Thursday outlining conditions for his participation, including mandatory hair follicle drug tests for government officials, including President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., adding comments suggesting the charity aspect was a pretext for a personal fight.
Davao City Representative Paolo “Pulong” Duterte, Baste’s brother, added to the pre-match tension, stating that Torre should sign a waiver releasing his brother from any liability should the fight result in injury or death. Pulong also called for drug testing of both participants.
The NBI’s report regarding Duterte’s departure adds another layer of uncertainty to the already highly anticipated and controversial event.
