PNP Chief Torre on drug war order: arrest not kill

Metro Manila, Philippines - Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III has ordered police officers to focus on arresting suspects alive, particularly in drug-related operations, saying the era of deadly enforcement must not be repeated.

“Huli, hindi patay. Titigil lang tayo sa panghuhuli kapag wala na tayong makitang kriminal,” Torre said Tuesday during a press briefing in Malacanang on Wednesday, June 4.

The statement comes amid growing concern that his recent directive to increase arrests could pressure officers into cutting corners, evoking memories of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war which left thousands of suspected drug offenders dead, many without due process.

Human rights groups documented widespread extrajudicial killings during Duterte's administration. Duterte is now detained at the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity.

Torre sought to draw a clear line between his campaign and past abuses. He stressed that there are no arrest quotas, and that officers must follow proper procedures and uphold human rights at all times.

“Walang quota. Ang measure diyan ay ang reduction and elimination of the threat in our community. Hindi pupuwede iyong sasabihin na palabanin natin ang mga iyan. That’s crazy,” he said.

[Translation: There are no quotas. The measure is the reduction and elimination of threats in our community.]

He emphasized that suspects must be brought to court and tried under the law, not executed in the streets.

When asked about the risk of officers planting evidence to boost arrest statistics, Torre was blunt.

“Hindi ko maia-assure sa iyo na hindi nila gagawin. Pero kapag ginawa nila, idi-dismiss ko sila sa serbisyo, ikukulong ko sila,” Torre said.

[Translation: I can’t assure you they won’t do it. But if they do, I will dismiss them from service and put them in jail.]

Torre urged the public to report any abuse, reminding citizens of their constitutional rights. He said arrested suspects can seek free legal aid from the Public Attorney’s Office, and encouraged complaints to be filed through the PNP’s Internal Affairs Service, the Ombudsman, or the Commission on Human Rights (CHR).

“Hindi ito iyong dating nangyayari na patay ang tao, ang nagrireklamo ay iyong pamilya. Hindi ganoon. Ang hinuli mismo, buhay iyan,” he stressed.

[Translation: This isn’t like before, when the person was dead and only the family could complain. The suspect is alive.]

In response to concerns raised by CHR about the “paramihan ng huli” system potentially encouraging abuses similar to the previous administration, Torre said the police will welcome oversight and full investigation of any reported misconduct.

“Buhay ang tao na huhulihin. Walang patay. We will not condone wanton killings or wanton murders,” Torre stated.

Torre ended the briefing by reaffirming the duty of law enforcement: to protect communities through legal and humane action.

[Translation: The suspect must be alive when arrested. No deaths. We will not condone wanton killings or murders.]