CHR hails PNP chief Torre’s visit to main office
Philippine National Police Gen. Nicolas Torre III (INQUIRER/ MARIANNE BERMUDEZ)
MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III is the first head of the national police force who formally visited the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) main office in Quezon City, according to the agency’s spokesperson, Atty. Beda Epres.
Epres said Torre’s visit “marks a meaningful milestone” and speaks “volumes of his sincerity and openness to dialogue.”
The PNP chief had explained that he would visit CHR to clarify possible issues surrounding his “paramihan” (more) directive, mandating officers to make as many “legal” arrests as possible to combat the proliferation of illegal drugs.
“Our guest of honor is the first PNP chief to have visited the Commission on Human Rights, an act that speaks volumes of his sincerity and openness to dialogue. This visit is more than ceremonial,” Epres said during CHR’s flag-raising ceremony on Monday.
“Here at the Commission, we value partnerships that champion both safety and rights. And with these recent affirmations on due process and the rule of law, we look forward to continued collaboration grounded in mutual respect and shared responsibility,” he added as part of his introductory speech for Torre.
For his part, Torre said he treats CHR as PNP’s “boss” when it comes to the protection of human rights.
“So when a victim has their human rights violated by a criminal, the police step in,” Torre said.
“But if, for example, the police violate someone’s human rights, then the CHR is there. I do recognize and thank the CHR for keeping us always in check and being a partner of the PNP in ensuring that everything we do is within the ambit of law,” he added.
Torre also recognized the involvement of CHR in “ensuring the disciplinary machinery of the PNP is working.”
