Top Cop Who Arrested Duterte Gets Philippines' Biggest Police Job
The man who put handcuffs on a former president just scored the nation’s top police position.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. picked Police Major General Nicolas Torre III as the new chief of the Philippine National Police on Thursday. Torre will take command on June 2, replacing General Rommel Marbil who retires after a year in the hot seat.
But this isn’t just any promotion. Torre made headlines worldwide when he arrested former President Rodrigo Duterte in March and shipped him off to The Hague to face war crimes charges. Before that, he spent 16 days hunting down controversial preacher Apollo Quiboloy in a tense standoff that gripped the nation.
The Arrest That Changed Everything
Torre read Duterte his rights before loading him onto a plane bound for the International Criminal Court. The former president faces charges of crimes against humanity linked to his bloody drug war that allegedly killed 30,000 people.
“The arrest was perfectly legal according to international law,” Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin told reporters, brushing off critics who called it illegal.
Performance Over Politics
Was Torre rewarded for these high-profile busts? Maybe, says Bersamin.
“The president always demands performance. You must exhibit a high degree of performance,” Bersamin explained. “Maybe that is one factor, I’m not going to discount that. But there may be other qualities of General Torre that he might have considered.”
The decision came down to five candidates. But Torre’s track record spoke loudest.
Rocky Road to the Top
Torre’s career hasn’t been smooth sailing. He resigned as Quezon City police chief in 2022 after hosting a press conference for a cop who pointed a gun at a cyclist. Public backlash forced him out within a month.
But he bounced back. Torre served in various roles before landing the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group leadership. That’s where he built his reputation as a no-nonsense operator.
Political Praise Pours In
House Speaker Martin Romualdez called Torre “a principled and fearless officer” with the courage needed to restore police credibility.
Even former senator Leila de Lima, once jailed during Duterte’s presidency, backed the choice. “I have full confidence that under Torre’s leadership, the PNP can further restore public trust,” she said.
Making History
Torre breaks new ground as the first Philippine National Police Academy graduate to lead the 228,000-strong force. Previous chiefs came from the Philippine Military Academy.
Born in Jolo, Sulu in 1970, Torre graduated from the police academy in 1993. He’s 55 years old and brings over three decades of experience to the job.
Smooth Transition Promised
Bersamin assured the public that leadership changes across government agencies won’t cause chaos. “This is not a purge,” he stressed. “This effort is the president’s commitment to a government that works fast, delivers results, and meets the expectations of the Filipino people.”
Torre takes over a police force facing trust issues and reform demands. His appointment signals President Marcos wants results-driven leadership, not political loyalty.
The new chief has until June 7 to prove himself when Marbil officially retires. With his track record of tackling tough assignments, Torre seems ready for the challenge.
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