Calling Baste Duterte “gay” is wrong and offensive. This word should not be associated with cowardice because there are many LGBT members who are brave and do not back down from the fight. Being gay is not a measure of courage or fear.
Baste's mistake was calling PNP Chief Nicolas Torre III a "monkey." Even if it's a joke or a "figure of speech," it's clearly insulting. Especially since there's a penalty for hurting even an animal, let alone a human being. It's only natural that Torre would be offended by such a word.
What was also not good was when Torre accepted the challenge to fight. Even for charity, it would have been better to ignore it. Instead of earning respect, the situation seemed ridiculous when he stepped into the ring for a fight that didn't go ahead because Baste didn't show up.
Instead of showing up, Baste went on a trip to Singapore with his family. It seems like he just followed in the footsteps of his father, former President Duterte, who once provoked a shooting but also didn't show up. That's why, as some say, "like father, like son."
