Torre-Duterte duel no more? Baste leaves for Singapore

The much-awaited boxing showdown between Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief General Nicolas Torre III and Davao City Acting Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte may no longer push through on July 27, 2025, as the latter was reported to have left for Singapore with his family and some staff on Friday, July 25, 2025.

- By MARTIN SADONGDONG, JEFFREY DAMICOG, and IVY TEJANO

Citing a report from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) International Airport Investigation Division (IAID) Executive Officer Martin Villardo, NBI Director Jaime B. Santiago confirmed that Duterte and his party left for Singapore at around 7:10 a.m.

Santiago said Duterte took a Scoot Airlines flight to Singapore. He, however, was not able to disclose the purpose of Duterte's trip to Singapore.

According to a Davao City local government staff member, who spoke anonymously, Mayor Duterte's trip was for “official business”. In fact, other local government officials accompanied the mayor for a scheduled engagement in Singapore.

The Office of the Mayor has also yet to release any official statement on whether the trip will affect the planned boxing match or if it will be rescheduled. Whether the boxing match will push through as planned remains unclear.