PRESIDENT Marcos on Tuesday ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP) to purge its ranks of scalawags and speed up the resolution of cases involving its own personnel even as the new PNP chief vowed to institutionalize the three-minute police response in major centers across the country.
The President issued the directive in remarks during the PNPÂ’s turnover of command from outgoing chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil and his successor, Gen. Nicolas Torre III.
“As enforcers of the law, the entire police force is expected to act with integrity, serve with honesty, and be a pillar of support for our fellow citizens,” the Chief Executive stressed..
“I challenge you, keep the ranks of the police force clean and honorable. Expedite the investigation of cases against police officers who have violated the law so that we can deliver justice as soon as possible,” Marcos told Torre in his speech.
In response, Torre said the people will “see us on the streets, in communities, in markets, and in every place where our presence is needed to provide peace of mind.”
“Under my leadership, the law will be fair, the service will be fast, and the police force will be worthy of your trust.”.
Marcos said the people should feel safe and secured through heightened police visibility.
“Increase the presence of the police on the street. When the people need it, there should be a police officer who can respond immediately,” he added.
The President also advised Torre to “act with integrity and serve the people with honesty.”
Meanwhile, the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) welcomed Torre’s aim of shortening the police response time to crime and emergencies.
VACC national director Fernando Martinez told the Standard that while the goal is “aspirational,” it is always better to “set the bar high.”
“As a taxpayer, it is encouraging to see that the PNP is striving to deliver better services to the public. I think this move will make a lot of people happy, especially those who have become crime victims,” Martinez said.
Torre rose to prominence with the manhunt and eventual arrest of televangelist Apollo Quiboloy in Davao City, prior to his promotion as Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) chief, and the apprehension of former President Rodrigo Duterte upon orders of the International Criminal Court for alleged crimes against humanity.
Torre also previously led the Davao region police, Western Samar Provincial Police Office, as well as Batangas City and Mabalacat police stations.
He likewise boast of vast experience in intelligence and field operations, including stints in the Central Luzon and Mimaropa police.
He served as a Civilian Police Officer under the United Nations Mission in East Timor from 2001 to 2003.
Torre, now 55, graduated at the Philippine National Police Academy in 1993. He hailed from Jolo, Sulu, and was the first PNPA alumnus to become PNP chief.
