President Marcos Appoints New PNP Chief Nicolas Torre III
President Marcos has officially named Police Major General Nicolas Torre III as the new chief of the Philippine National Police. This appointment marks a significant leadership change within the police force, with Torre set to take command on June 2. The exact four-word keyphrase, Philippine National Police chief, highlights the core of this announcement.
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin confirmed the decision on May 29, noting that Torre, the current head of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), will replace outgoing Police General Rommel Marbil. Despite being a two-star general, Torre’s appointment reflects the President’s discretion and confidence in his capabilities.
Factors Behind the Appointment
Sources familiar with the matter reveal that Torre’s leadership in two high-profile police operations contributed to his selection. These operations led to the arrests of Kingdom of Jesus Christ leader Apollo Quiboloy and former President Rodrigo Duterte. Bersamin emphasized, “Hindi ko masasabi ‘yan dahil alam mo si Presidente always demands performance. Kahit na ano yung pinagawa sa’yo, you must exhibit some high-degree level of performance.”
The Executive Secretary also mentioned that the President considered five candidates before deciding. “You must probably have an idea of who those five were. But as of this time, the decision was already made and it favored Police Maj. Gen. Torre,” Bersamin added. He further stressed that the appointment was based on merit rather than reward.
Respecting the President’s Decision and Police Professionalism
Bersamin urged respect for the President’s choice, highlighting the confidential nature of such appointments. He explained that while the commander-in-chief role is civilian, the President’s discretion is absolute. “No one can question the use of that discretion. Call it inscrutable but right now, the considerations that weighed in the choice of General Torre should be respected,” he stated.
Concerns about possible demoralization within the police force were addressed by Bersamin, who expressed confidence in their professionalism. “Bakit naman? Palagay ko naman hindi, dahil professional yung hanay ng mga kapulisan. They’re all very great professionals, they are very decorated individuals. So, they just follow what the commander-in-chief or what the President desires,” he said.
Background and Achievements of Nicolas Torre
General Torre is the first graduate of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) to become the chief of the PNP. He graduated in 1993, ranking fourth among 90 cadets. Throughout his career, he earned three master’s degrees—in Public Administration, Business Administration, and Educational Management—demonstrating his commitment to continuous learning.
His varied assignments include serving as chief of police in Mabalacat, Pampanga, and Batangas City, provincial director of Samar, and chief information officer of the Police Regional Office 4A (Calabarzon). As the Quezon City Police District Director, Torre implemented a three-minute response strategy, which he plans to use in the Davao Region. This approach led to the removal of several police commanders who failed to comply.
Looking Ahead Under New Leadership
Upon accepting the appointment, Torre will be promoted to a four-star general, reflecting his new responsibilities. Local experts believe his leadership will continue to uphold the standards and professionalism expected of the Philippine National Police chief.
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