Some highlights of Nicolas Torre's career in the PNP

Police General Nicolas Torre III was caught in the spotlight even before becoming the country’s top cop, playing a major role in the high-profile arrests of megachurch leader Pastor Apollo Quiboloy and former president Rodrigo Duterte. 

According to Mark Salazar’s report in “24 Oras” on Tuesday, Torre rose to national prominence, when as head of Police Regional Office 11, refused to back down in the face of an uproar from thousands of Quiboloy’s supporters in Davao City when the PNP served the warrant of arrest against the religious leader for child and sexual abuse charges in June last year. 

Torre was later assigned to lead the PNP’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG). Last March, he spearheaded the serving of an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court to Duterte.

The then PNP-CIDG director was on the receiving end of the anger from Duterte’s family, who were trying to block his arrest. 

Torre personally read the Miranda Rights before the former president who was then flown to The Hague in the Netherlands to face allegations of crimes against humanity related to his deadly war on drugs. 

In what was a tense situation, Torre calmly responded to the family and close supporters of Duterte at the Villamor Airbase. 

“Sir, ilang presidente na ang na-bo-book?” former executive secretary Salvador Medialdea questioned Torre during the exchange. 

The general responded: “So that means you are banking on the inequality of the law?” 

Three months later, Torre reached the pinnacle of his career in the police force when was appointed as the 31st PNP chief. His promotion was accelerated from a two-star general to a four-star general, passing over many officers with seniority and holding higher rank.

He is also the first graduate from the PNP Academy to be named as the country’s top cop. 

Torre's stint as PNP chief in Camp Crame was both loud and colorful. 

Among Torre’s initiatives is the five-minute response time for cops. 

Arguably, the most memorable part of Torre’s tenure as PNP chief is when he accepted the challenge of Davao City Vice Mayor Sebastian Duterte to a boxing match, which the latter did not attend.

In his recent State of the Nation Address last July, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. lauded Torre and called him a “champion” before a joint session of Congress. 

However, barely three months as head of the PNP, Torre’s tenure was cut short when he tried to reshuffle the high ranking officials of the police body that was blocked by the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM), which has supervisory and administrative control over the PNP.

Torre refused to follow the NAPOLCOM’s orders not to proceed with the reassignments  

During last week’s flag raising ceremony at Camp Crame, Torre introduced the new officials he appointed which included Police Lt. Gen. Bernard Banac, who he designated as deputy chief for administration, the second highest post in the PNP.

“Walang utos, walang balakid at walang pagsubok na makakagiba sa ating pagkakaisa at sa ating panata sa bayan,” Torre said.

(There is no order, no obstacle and no challenge that will topple our unity and our vow to the nation.)

Just a few days before he was relieved from his post, Torre held a press conference. 

“Right now, ang mga nakikisawsaw, ang mga nagbibigay ng opinyon, we welcome all of those. May mga statements nga lang na right now ay nakikita natin ay nakaka-damage more than nakakatulong sa ating organisasyon,” he said.

(Right now, those inserting themselves, sharing their opinions, we welcome all of those. There are statements right now that we see that do more damage than help our organization.) 

At this point, it remains unclear where Torre, who is set to retire in 2027, will be reassigned within the PNP. GMA Integrated News is trying to reach out to Torre for his side on the issue. — Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA Integrated News