Nicolas Torre III, who led Rodrigo Duterte arrest, is new PNP chief
Major Gen. Nicolas Torre III (File photo from a videograb by NIÑO JESUS ORBETA | Philippine Daily Inquirer)
MANILA, Philippines — Police Major General Nicolas Torre III has been named as the new Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin announced during a Palace press conference on Thursday.
“The turnover of command will happen June 2nd,” he said.
Torre will be replacing Gen. Rommel Marbil, who is set to retire on June 7, 2025.
Torre, who was the director of the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), oversaw several high-profile cases, including the arrest of alleged sex offender Apollo Quiboloy and, more recently, the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
Asked if these were factors as to why Torre was chosen to replace Marbil, Bersamin responded:
“I can’t say that because the president always demands performance. No matter what is ordered of you, you must exhibit some level or a high degree of performance, Bersamin said in a mix of Filipino and English.
“Maybe that is one, I’m not going to discount that…but there may be other qualities of Gen. Torre that he might have considered in comparison to the qualities of those others who were not given this responsibility,” he added.
He then emphasized that the specific “elements” that were considered for the appointment of PNP chief were confidential, and that the decision was strictly the president’s discretion, which is “absolute.”
“No one can question the use of that discretion… call it inscrutable,” Bersamin said.
“Right now, the considerations that weighed in the choice of Gen. Torre should be respected,” he added.
Smooth Transition
Bersamin then assured the public that a “smooth transition” is being implemented to “ensure continuity and stability” in the leadership change, not only in the PNP, but in other agencies whose chiefs were replaced.
“This is not a purge, let me remind you of that, this effort is the President’s commitment to a government that works fast, delivers results, and meets the expectations of the Filipino people,” said Bersamin.
“As the president has said, he will not hesitate to make the necessary changes to keep the government moving forward,” he added.
During the announcement of Torre’s appointment as the new PNP chief, Bersamin also announced the appointment of Shirley Agrupis as the new chair of the Commission on Higher Education, replacing Prospero de Vera III.
He also announced Darlene Berberabe as the new Solicitor General, replacing Menardo Guevarra. /apl/atm
