DAVAO CITY – Acting Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte hit back at Philippine National Police chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III after showing his travel authority to Singapore approved by Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla as early as July 20.
An online post from Duterte appeared to directly respond to Torre being declared the default winner in a charity boxing match scheduled on Sunday, July 27, at Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila that the acting mayor failed to attend.
Duterte cited “personal reasons” for the overseas trip from July 25 to July 29. Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte II is acting mayor on his behalf.
Mayor Duterte did not mince words in his social media statement, expressing disappointment over the situation and took a swipe at Torre for accepting the victory by default over a charity match he never agreed to begin with.
Despite the proposed reschedule, Torre was declared the winner by default in front of a sizable crowd after a 10-second countdown.
Torre was already inside the ring by 10:30 a.m., waiting for Duterte, who was expected not to arrive.
“Chimps from the planet of the apes cannot comprehend. Congrats, Diwata Torre!” Duterte posted on his Facebook page, mocking the police official.
The charity clash between the two officials has turned into a heated social media exchange, raising questions about the missed match, transparency, and proper conduct among top public officials.