The Cop Who Cuffed a President Now Runs the Entire Police Force
The man who walked into history by arresting a former Philippine president now holds the keys to the country’s entire police force.
Nicolas Torre III got the call Thursday. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. picked him as the new chief of the Philippine National Police. The announcement sent shockwaves through law enforcement circles.
Torre isn’t just any police officer. He’s the general who led the dramatic arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte in March 2025. The same hands that placed handcuffs on a former commander-in-chief will now command 230,000 police officers nationwide.
From Duterte's Arrest to Top Command
The timing couldn’t be more striking. Just months after Torre executed an International Criminal Court arrest warrant against Duterte for alleged crimes against humanity, he’s being promoted to the country’s highest police position.
“The turnover of command will happen June 2nd,” Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin announced during a packed Palace press conference Thursday.
Torre will replace Gen. Rommel Marbil, who retires on June 7, 2025. But this isn’t just a routine changing of the guard.
The 55-year-old Torre has become the face of high-profile law enforcement in the Philippines. As director of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), he didn’t just arrest a former president. He also oversaw the capture of controversial religious leader Apollo Quiboloy, who faced human trafficking charges.
Presidential Discretion Behind Closed Doors
When reporters pressed Bersamin about whether Torre’s headline-grabbing arrests influenced his selection, the executive secretary chose his words carefully.
“I can’t say that because the president always demands performance,” Bersamin said, mixing Filipino and English. “No matter what is ordered of you, you must exhibit some level or a high degree of performance.”
But he didn’t deny it either.
“Maybe that is one, I’m not going to discount that,” Bersamin admitted. “But there may be other qualities of Gen. Torre that he might have considered.”
The specific reasons for Torre’s appointment remain locked away. Bersamin called the president’s decision-making process “inscrutable” and said the considerations “should be respected.”
A Career Built on Controversy
Torre’s rise to the top hasn’t been smooth. Born in Jolo, Sulu in 1970, he graduated from the Philippine National Police Academy in 1993. His career reads like a police procedural filled with dramatic twists.
In 2019, he was dismissed as Samar provincial police director for failing to fight crime and allegedly engaging in partisan politics. He bounced back to Metro Manila’s police operations.
His stint as Quezon City police chief sparked outrage. Torre held a press conference defending a retired officer who pointed a gun at a cyclist. The public backlash forced him to apologize for giving “VIP treatment” to the officer. He resigned under pressure.
But Torre’s luck changed in Davao. As regional police director, he led the operation that finally captured Apollo Quiboloy after a tense standoff at the religious leader’s compound. KOJC members locked gates and guarded their leader. Police dug holes and hired civilians in fake uniforms during the controversial operation.
Not a Purge, Officials Insist
Torre’s appointment comes alongside other major government reshuffles. Marcos also named new leaders for higher education and the solicitor general’s office.
“This is not a purge,” Bersamin emphasized. “This effort is the President’s commitment to a government that works fast, delivers results, and meets the expectations of the Filipino people.”
The message was clear: perform or get replaced.
What This Means for Philippine Policing
Torre’s appointment signals a new era for Philippine law enforcement. He’s proven he’ll arrest anyone—even former presidents—when ordered. That track record likely influenced Marcos’s decision.
The transition promises to be smooth, officials say. But Torre takes command of a force facing enormous challenges: drug trafficking, terrorism, and public trust issues.
His first test will be simple: prove he can lead 230,000 officers as effectively as he led high-profile arrests.
The cop who made headlines arresting powerful figures now faces his biggest challenge yet. Running the entire Philippine police force requires more than handcuffs and courage. It demands leadership on a national scale.
Torre’s promotion from controversial officer to top cop shows how quickly fortunes can change in Philippine politics. One day you’re apologizing for mistakes. The next, you’re running the country’s police force.
The man who arrested a president now answers only to one.
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