President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Monday led the Philippine National Police (PNP) Change of Command Ceremony, expressing gratitude to retired chief Gen. Rommel Marbil and officially installing Gen. Nicolas Torre III as the new head of the 230,000-strong police force.
In a ceremony held at Camp Crame in Quezon City, President Marcos challenged Torre to uphold high standards of accountability and public service, amid what he called “evolving threats” such as cybercrime, transnational criminal networks, and extremist violence.
“Your leadership will help define what kind of police force we continue to build—one that acts with precision, responds with compassion, and stands as a pillar of accountability,” President Marcos told Torre.
The President urged the new PNP chief to prioritize street-level visibility of police, speedy investigations into police misconduct, and a sustained campaign against illegal drugs in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.
Mr. Marcos emphasized that law enforcers must be a reassuring presence in Filipino communities: “When people are in need, a police officer must be the first to respond.”
Torre, formerly the director of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), inherits a national police force facing scrutiny over issues such as abuse of power and corruption, as well as ongoing campaigns against drugs and organized crimes.
On the other hand, President Marcos hailed Marbil’s tenure for steering the PNP toward integrity, professionalism, and a people-centered approach to law enforcement.
“General Marbil, you led the PNP with a compass firmly set on integrity, professionalism, and respect for human rights,” the Commander-in-Chief said.
He added that Marbil’s leadership helped restore public confidence in the police and improved the institution’s response during national emergencies as well as the recent 2025 elections.
President Marcos noted that under Marbil’s stewardship, the PNP became “a more structured and regulated institution” and played a key role in crisis response and community safety efforts.
He commended the PNP’s human rights record and public trust gains during Marbil’s leadership.
Mr. Marcos concluded by encouraging the entire PNP to embody the values of honor, service, and justice in line with his vision for a “Bagong Pilipinas,” a new Philippines marked by discipline, rule of law, and trustworthy public servants.
“Let your badge be your daily pledge, not to command, but to serve with integrity,” President Marcos told Torre.
