PNP chief Torre鈥檚 anti-drug strategy: Ramp up ‘legal’ arrests
PNP Chief Gen. Nicolas Torre lll INQUIRER PHOTO / NIÑO JESUS ORBETA
MANILA, Philippines — What will be Gen. Nicolas Torre III’s strategy against illegal drugs as the new Philippine National Police (PNP) chief?
He said that increasing the number of arrests will be a key metric in the campaign against illegal drugs.
“The number of arrests is part of our metric. Ramp up arrests, go ahead, ramp it up,” Torre said in a press briefing after taking over command of the PNP in a ceremony in Camp Crame on Monday.
When asked if such a policy would incentivize arresting individuals for the sake of reaching a quota, Torre said mechanisms like the PNP Internal Affairs Service were open to complaints from the public.
“Now, make sure what you’re doing is right because if the fiscal says your arrest was illegal, that’s a problem,” he said.
“If you’re brought to the Internal Affairs Service, the Napolcom, the PLEB, you’ll know your place. So, there’s a check-and-balance to the abuses you claim,” he added.
READ: PNP eyes more effective, engaging anti-drug strategy
Torre seemed to take a swipe at former President Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war, during which an estimated 12,000 to 30,000 people were killed.
“You arrested them. You did not shoot them, you did not kill them. They’re alive. Human rights are there,” he said.
In previous media interviews, Torre maintained that many police officers were compelled to follow orders during the drug war.
Torre was the ground commander of the police team that arrested and turned Duterte over to the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands last March to face allegations of crimes against humanity in connection with the war on drugs.
READ: Torre: PNP appointments to be based on merit, ‘pogi points not enough’
Torre’s appointment as the new PNP chief was announced in a Palace briefing last Thursday./mcm
