Former Philippine National Police Chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III experienced a swift and turbulent 85-day tenure, marking one of the shortest leadership periods in the history of the PNP. The four-word keyphrase former Philippine National Police chief defines his recent stint, which ended abruptly following a presidential decision that surprised many.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. once humorously crowned Torre as the country’s newest boxing champion, highlighting his energetic approach to policing. Yet, just days after this lighthearted moment, the same president relieved Torre of his duties, delivering a decisive blow to the former Philippine National Police chief’s brief term.
From Regional Leadership to National Spotlight
Before ascending to the top police role, the former Philippine National Police chief commanded the Davao Region police. His leadership was notably visible during the successful manhunt and capture of Apollo Quiboloy, the founder of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, who faced serious allegations. This operation, completed in September 2024, earned Torre recognition for his decisive action.
Additionally, Torre headed the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group. There, he enforced the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant against former President Rodrigo Duterte, issued in March 2025 for alleged crimes against humanity. These key roles paved the way for his appointment as the PNP chief in late May, announced officially by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin.
Hitting the Ground Running with Reform
On June 2, the former Philippine National Police chief took office with a clear vision: rapid and responsive public service, strengthened unity within the ranks, and firm accountability through modernization. The very next day, he initiated his first command conference, instructing police forces to accelerate emergency response times, implement eight-hour personnel shifts, and conduct thorough audits of police equipment.
Despite criticism from acting Davao City Mayor Baste Duterte regarding his appointment—citing skipped ranks—Torre defended his position by referencing past appointments made by former President Duterte, emphasizing precedence in police leadership promotions.
Enforcing Swift Police Response
By mid-June, Torre set an ambitious emergency response benchmark of five minutes. In pursuit of this goal, he relieved eight Metro Manila city police chiefs who failed to meet this standard. These included chiefs from Caloocan, Navotas, Valenzuela, Mandaluyong, Marikina, San Juan, Parañaque, and Makati, signaling his firm stance on operational efficiency.
The strict policy extended beyond the capital. On June 17, two more police directors from unidentified provinces were dismissed for similar shortcomings. Torre’s commitment to discipline continued into July, when he relieved another police chief for neglecting follow-up operations related to a high-value theft case.
Investigating the Sabungeros Case
In early July, whistleblower Julie Patidongan exposed alleged police involvement in the kidnapping of cockfighting enthusiasts, known locally as sabungeros. Responding swiftly, the former Philippine National Police chief placed 12 active PNP personnel under restrictive custody at Camp Crame for investigation.
Subsequent diving operations in Taal Lake to recover missing sabungeros’ bodies confirmed that several retrieved remains were human. These efforts underscored Torre’s readiness to address internal misconduct and uphold law enforcement integrity.
Boxing Challenge and Public Engagement
In a unique public relations move, Torre accepted a boxing challenge issued by the Davao acting mayor, proposing a charity match to support victims of severe flooding caused by the southwest monsoon, locally known as habagat. Training commenced on July 24 at Camp Crame, with the Rizal Memorial Coliseum set as the venue.
Though the Davao mayor traveled to Singapore prior to the match, Torre won by default, announcing that the event raised approximately P16 million for flood relief. President Marcos Jr. later acknowledged Torre’s efforts during his State of the Nation Address, dubbing him a new “champion” in a nod to his public spirit.
Clashes with the National Police Commission
Tensions arose between Torre and the National Police Commission (Napolcom) over personnel assignments. In early August, Torre reassigned Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., his then-Deputy Chief for Administration, as commander of the Area Police Command Western Mindanao.
Napolcom countered with a resolution directing Torre to reverse the assignments of 13 third-level officers, effectively reinstating Nartatez as deputy chief. In response, all PNP regional chiefs expressed support for Torre, emphasizing unity without directly challenging the commission’s order.
Throughout late August, Torre maintained that police unity was paramount and convened senior officers to address the situation. However, on August 26, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla confirmed Torre’s relief from office. Nartatez was named his successor.
Remulla stated, “This was not an easy choice, but it was made in the national interest. The President is committed to ensuring a unified direction and collaboration across all areas in his Cabinet, particularly those responsible for delivering security, peace, and order.” He also expressed gratitude for the energy Torre brought to the force during his brief tenure.
What’s Next for the Former Chief?
Following his removal, the former Philippine National Police chief faces decisions about his future. He may choose immediate retirement or continue service until reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56 on March 11, 2027, as mandated by the Department of the Interior and Local Government Act.
Community members noted that despite the short tenure, Torre’s leadership introduced significant initiatives and reforms that may influence the PNP’s direction moving forward.
For more news and updates on Philippine National Police leadership, visit Filipinokami.com.
