Nicolas Torre assumes top PNP post
Metro Manila, Philippines - PMGen Nicolas Torre III, who led the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte, formally assumed the role of Philippine National Police (PNP) chief on Monday, June 2.
Torre took the oath to become the 31st PNP chief in a change of command ceremony led by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the Camp Crame in Quezon City.
He is the third PNP chief under the Marcos administration, heading the over 220,000-strong police force.
“To the Filipino people, the very reason for our existence, we, the Philippine National Police, shall work harder to earn and ensure that our communities are safe, your rights are respected, and your trust is earned,” he said in his speech.
“I believe that we are ready to deliver on your expectations, as we have done in the past,” he said.
Torre also said he will lead with three core pillars:
+ Institutionalize a three-minute emergency response time in major urban centers
+ Unity and morale within the ranks
+ Accountability and modernization to support Marcos’ reform agenda
In his speech, Marcos told Torre to increase police visibility in communities, as well as continue the fight against illegal drugs and ensure cases are filed against drug dealers and drug lords.
“Panatilihin mong malinis at marangal ang hanay ng ating mga kapulisan,” the chief executive challenged Torre. “Bilisan ang imbestigasyon sa kaso laban sa mga pulis na lumabag sa batas upang maibigay natin ang hustisya sa lalong madaling panahon.”
[Translation: Keep the police force clean and honest. Expedite the investigation on cases against police officers who violated the law to serve justice immediately.]
Outgoing PGen Rommel Marbil also formally ended his stint, which began in April 2024, and was given a retirement honors ceremony on Monday.
In announcing the appointment on May 29, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said Torre’s promotion is a reward “based on merit.”
In September 2024, Torre led the two-week manhunt and eventual arrest of Apollo Quiboloy, a Filipino megachurch leader who was facing charges related to human trafficking, sexual and child abuse, among others.
In March this year, he also led the dramatic arrest of Duterte on a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court due to alleged crimes against humanity of murder in connection to his bloody drug war,
Torre is the first graduate of the Philippine National Police Academy to be named PNP chief.
He previously served as a director of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, led various police districts, and has experience in intelligence and field operations.
