Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III sees nothing wrong with the challenge of acting Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte for a fistfight.

But the 54-year old Torre wants the fistfight to be meaningful and beneficial as he signified his intention to upgrade the challenge to a charity boxing match with the proceeds of the earnings for tickets and pay per view to the victims of tropical storm ‘Crising” and other weather disturbances since last week.

“You know tamang tama dahil marami ang nasalanta ngayon ng bagyo at baha. (This is timely because a lot of people were affected by the typhoon and flooding). 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 put just put this on a better use kung yan ang gusto niya, madaling pagbigyan yan boxing na lang para madali isetup at gawin. (He made a challenge for a fistfight and for me, whether he is serious or not, let's just put this to better use if that is what he wants. Let’s make it a boxing match because it is easy to set up,” he added.

And the date?

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 mairaise na pondo. (Maybe we can find sponsors, there should be sponsors per round. For 12 rounds, that would be a lot of sponsors and that means we can raise more funds),” 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.

“On my part there is nothing personal. I just saw a very good opportunity to raise funds for charity,” said Torre.

Pinatulan?

Torre, however, was quick to clarify that his decision to accept Baste’s challenge is meant to raise funds, especially for millions affected by the weather disturbances in the past days.

“I just see this is an opportunity to help our kababayan and maybe there would be sponsors, for the proceeds that we will raise we will donate to charity,” 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.

Pay per view

Torre said he is open to air the boxing match on social media platforms.

But he urged those who would watch to donate for the typhoon victims.

But does he need time to practice”

Torre said he would hit the PNP gym on Thursday, July 24, for a practice.

Bad blood

This is not the first time that Duterte threatened physical harm on Torre.

When Torre was the regional director of Davao region, Duterte threatened to slap him for relieving all police commanders of Davao City.

This, after reports that Davao City commanders were misreporting crime incidents allegedly to make it appear that the City is safe.

But what if Duterte would back out?

“It’s up to him. He was the one who issued the challenge. On my part, I am just accepting the challenge,” said Torre.