PNP chief calls Baste Duterte's travel authority an afterthought

PNP chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III called acting Davao City Mayor Sebastian "Baste" Duterte's presentation of his travel authority an "afterthought" after Duterte failed to appear at a charity boxing match.

Duterte claimed on social media to have filed and received approval for his travel authority to Singapore on July 20, which Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla confirmed he signed.

Remulla stated that Duterte only applied for a vacation leave, not a medical or official one, and should have canceled his trip if he was serious about the boxing match.

Torre stated he was unaware of the travel document and that it was not a condition for Duterte's participation in the boxing match.

The challenge for the boxing match originated from Duterte's podcast, where he suggested he could defeat Torre in a fistfight.

Torre responded by proposing a boxing match to raise funds for flood victims.

Duterte reportedly flew to Singapore last Friday, July 25, according to the NBI and Bureau of Immigration.