Nicolas Torre: The New MMDA General Manager

Nicolas Torre III, the former Philippine National Police chief who led notable operations in the Marcos administration, has been named as general manager of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

His appointment was confirmed by Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro in a message sent to reporters on Friday.

Months before this appointment, Torre had said early retirement is on his list of options after his official leave from police service. During that time, there was no report about specific offers on his next post.

To recall, Torre was relieved from his post as PNP chief last August 25 and was replaced by Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr.

At this point, however, there is no official word yet if he indeed accepted the President's latest appointment for him.

Why he was replaced as PNP chief

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr., in September, explained that Torre was removed as PNP chief after he ''did not agree with the directives that were coming out of NAPOLCOM (National Police Commission)."

Despite this, Marcos said there was no loss of confidence in Torre as he praised the latter for being a good policeman.

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla had said he and Torre had a difference of opinion over the lack of approval by the NAPOLCOM of the assignments of top officials in the organization.'''

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

In asserting its authority when it issued the resolution to reverse Torre's assignments of officers, the NAPOLCOM cited Section 6, Article XVI of the 1987 Constitution which states that the State shall establish and maintain one police force, "to be administered and controlled by a national police commission."

Career as cop

Torre became the first alumnus of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) to lead the police force.

He took over as the 31st PNP chief on June 2 and served for around two months and three weeks.

Torre would have had around one year and seven months left to serve as the PNP chief before reaching the retirement age on March 11, 2027.

Torre, during his stint as Criminal Investigation and Detection Group chief, led the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte and his transport to the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands on March 11 over crimes against humanity case in connection with his administration’s war on drugs.

As Police Regional Office 11 chief, he led the capture of Kingdom of Jesus Christ founder Apollo Quiboloy on September 8, 2024 in Davao City over charges of human trafficking and sexual exploitation of minors.

Torre also served as the Communications and Electronics Service director of the PNP from April 3 to June 17, 2024.

He also became the chief of the Quezon City Police District from August 8, 2022 to August 30, 2023.

Torre, who hails from Jolo, Sulu, earned his Bachelor of Science in Public Safety degree at the Philippine National Police Academy in Canlubang, Laguna in 1993. — BAP, GMA Integrated News