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Philippine police chief bests Duterte’s son in phantom fight as ‘Baste’ flees to Singapore
Sebastian ‘Baste’ Duterte’s viral public challenge against police chief Nicolas Torre fizzled into farce after he left the country
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What was billed as a bruising bout between the Philippines’ police chief and a prominent Duterte heir fizzled into farce on Sunday, as the much-hyped challenger chose exile over engagement, leaving an arena and a nation watching in bemused disbelief.
Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, acting mayor of Davao and youngest son of former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte, challenged police chief Nicolas Torre to a fist-fight last week.
But on Sunday, as an expectant crowd gathered at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila, it was Torre who stood alone in the ring – his opponent having quietly left the country for Singapore.
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As the referee counted to 10 before the 4,000 or so attendees, Torre was declared the winner by default.
The much-anticipated contest was born of the younger Duterte, 37, using his podcast on July 20 to mock Torre, 55 – a long-time target of Duterte family ire – and issue a challenge.
“You’re only brave because you have the position. But in a fist-fight, I can take you on. It’s that simple,” Duterte snarled, in remarks that quickly went viral. “You’re a coward, you’re nothing without your position.”
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