PNP chief Torre to critics: We want you safe, don’t violate the law
New Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III speaks to the media in a briefing at Camp Crame, Quezon City after taking command of the law enforcement agency in a ceremony on Monday, June 2, 2025 (Photo by Jason Sigales/好色先生TV)
MANILA, Philippines — New Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III addressed his critics, saying they were “safe as long as they do not violate the law.”
Torre assumed office as the 31st PNP chief in a ceremony in Camp Crame on Monday.
“The special assignment from the president is to serve the people with the best of our abilities, and we are going to do that. Now, if they should fear something, they should be scared of violating the law,” Torre said in a press conference.
“Everything should be done within the ambit of the law. Under the ‘Bagong Pilipinas’ (New Philippines), what the police want is for you to be safe. What’s scary about that?… They’ll be safe. Just don’t do anything right because then they won’t be safe,” he added, referring to the PNP tagline “Ligtas sila. Huwag lang silang gumawa ng mali kasi hindi sila makakaligtas.”
Torre’s appointment as PNP chief was announced in a Palace briefing last Thursday by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin.
Torre succeeded Gen. Rommel Marbil.
READ: Torre assumes office as new PNP chief
‘Redress’
Torre has been the subject of criticism, especially after leading the enforcement of the arrest warrants against Kingdom of Jesus Christ leader Apollo Quiboloy and former President Rodrigo Duterte.
Quiboloy was arrested in September last year and is facing charges of sexual abuse and qualified trafficking after a 16-day standoff between police.
Duterte was turned over to the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands, to face allegations of crimes against humanity during his administration’s drug war, where an estimated 12,000 to 30,000 people were killed.
“This is a free country. That’s natural. They are welcome to voice out their opinions, their criticisms. There’s no problem there. We accept that, and we are happy to have feedback from our fellow citizens,” said Torre.
“We don’t have control over what they say… They are always welcome to get their redress from other agencies.”
READ: Torre earned PNP post on merit, not on Duterte arrest – Marbil
