THE new chief of the Philippine National Police, Gen. Nicolas Torre III, wants to hit the ground running as he buckles down to work.
First off, he vowed to make appointments in the institution during his term to be “based solely on merit,” and “only the most competent will be entrusted with the right positions in the right places…Deliver excellence in your police work… and you will be recognized and rewarded, ” Torre said.
His plans for the PNP include four key thrusts. One, implement a three-minute emergency response. Two, reinforce unity and morale among its ranks. Three, further modernize its technology. And four, hold erring officers accountable.
Torre enjoined the 230,000-strong institution to ensure “swift response to the public, unite and uplift the morale of your fellow public servants, and hold yourself and others within the ranks accountable. Just real talk. No need for endorsements under my leadership.”
“Of course, I have to reiterate that all of these actions must be done within the ambit of the law, evidence-based, and rights-respecting. I challenge each and every member of the PNP to be louder than me, not only in words but also in action,” he explained.
Before becoming the 31st PNP chief, Torre was the director of the Davao Regional Police Office and later headed the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.
In both positions he chalked up two outstanding accomplishments.
In Sept. 2024, he led the enforcement of the arrest warrant for preacher Apollo Quiboloy, who faces allegations of child abuse, sexual abuse, and qualified trafficking.
In March this year, Torre was the ground commander of the police team that arrested former President Rodrigo Duterte and handed him over to the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands, to face allegations of crimes against humanity during his administration’s drug war.
On the PNP’s continuing drive against illegal drugs, Torre said police operatives would intensify kegal arrests of suspected traffickers.
The new top cop pledged to work harder to keep the country safe, respect Filipinos’ rights, and gain the people’s trust.
“To the Filipino people, the very reason for our existence, we, the Philippine National Police, shall work harder to earn and ensure that our communities are safe, your rights are respected, and your trust is earned,” Torre said. “I believe that we are ready to deliver on your expectations as we have done in the past,” Torre added.
So what will happen if police commanders fail to meet the three-minute emergency response time?
They may be removed to improve performance: “‘If you can’t do the mission, well, someone else will take your place and try to (accomplish) the mission.”
A promising start to his new post, if his words are any indication, that should be matched by sustained and concrete action in the coming months.
