The head of the Philippine National Police (PNP), General Nicolas Torre III, has spoken out against returning to the tough and often violent approach to crime that marked former president Rodrigo Duterte’s time in office. Torre made it clear that the country should not repeat the mistakes of the past, especially after witnessing the loss and suffering caused by the previous administration’s war on drugs.
Torre shared his thoughts during an interview, saying that it’s easy for some people to support harsh policies if they haven’t experienced the pain and fear that came with them. He pointed out that innocent people, including children, became victims during police operations. Torre challenged supporters of the old ways to consider how they would feel if their own families were caught in the crossfire.
He also pushed back against critics who say President Marcos is too soft on crime. Torre pointed out that several high-profile figures, once thought to be untouchable, are now behind bars. He led the arrests of both Duterte and religious leader Apollo Quiboloy, showing that the law applies to everyone, no matter how powerful.
On another note, Torre addressed concerns within the police force about favoritism between graduates of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) and the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA). As the first PNP chief to come from the PNPA, Torre promised fairness and said he values an officer’s performance over their academic background. He emphasized that the PNP is made up of people from different paths, including those who rose through the ranks or joined through lateral entry.
As the country celebrated Independence Day, the PNP reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the rights and freedoms of every Filipino. Over ten thousand police officers were deployed to keep the peace during the festivities, and the celebrations went smoothly with no major incidents reported.
General Torre’s message is clear: the PNP is moving forward, focusing on justice, human rights, and a safer future for all.