The newly appointed Chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Police General Nicolas D. Torre III admitted that he had anticipated his appointment to the top post.
In an interview with DZRH Dos Por Dos on Friday, June 6, Torre shared that numerous friends and colleagues had encouraged him and expressed confidence in his appointment, making it hard not to expect the possibility.
However, he emphasized that despite the growing anticipation, he left the decision to faith and the judgment of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
“Napakaipokrito ko naman kung sasabihin kong hindi na walang nagsasabi sa akin. Talagang maraming nagsasabing mga kaibigan, so nag-expect tayo [na magiging Chief PNP],” Torre said.
After the appointment became official, Torre said he received a brief directive from Marcos.
“The president gave a one-minute directive. He expected me to lead the agency towards his direction,” Torre noted.
When asked whether he would rather be feared or respected—a question also previously posed to President Marcos—Torre offered a notably different response. In contrast to the President’s emphasis on commanding fear, Torre leaned toward balance and empathy, stressing the importance of understanding communities over instilling intimidation.
“We really have to be accommodating and understand all sectors. Hindi pwedeng isang sektor lang ang pinapakinggan so binabalanse natin iyan at sinisiguro natin na naririnig ang ating mga kababayan nasaan man sila, with all the cultural differences,” he said.
Torre, however, came to the defense of Marcos amid criticisms that the President’s accommodating leadership style is contributing to perceived rising criminality.
He made a pointed remark on leadership that relies heavily on intimidation and often profanity-laced language
“Hindi naman porket mura ka nang mura o galit ka palagi ay matapang ka na. Hindi ibig sabihin nun ay magaling ka at matikas ka. Hindi ganun ‘yun,” Torre emphasized that true strength in leadership does not lie in displays of anger or aggression.
As part of his early reforms, Torre ordered the closure of small police precincts and police boxes, saying they often give off a “negative” impression when unmanned.
Instead, he wants officers stationed at high-traffic areas and strategic locations where their presence is most needed.
“It is really counter intuitive na ilagay natin sa loob ng box ang mga pulis eh ang gusto natin ay police visibility. Isara na lang natin tapos lagyan na lang ng 911,” the new PNP chief stressed.
“Ngayon, iniimpose ko na sa mga pulis, niro-rollout na namin ang mantra ngayon: Huwag niyo na kaming hanapin sa mga presinto sapagkat kami ay nasa inyo nang mga telepono. Dial 911, darating kami sa loob ng 5 minuto,” he added.
While no major threats are expected in the immediate future, Torre reiterated that peace and order remain a standing national concern.
“Ang peace and order issue had been there all along. May direktiba si PBBM na talagang pinopokusan natin,” he said.
Addressing the country’s continuing struggle with illegal drugs, Torre made it clear that the police under his leadership will not follow a kill-at-all-costs approach – he emphasized due process and rehabilitation where appropriate.
“Hindi ko sinasabi na patayin lahat ng adik ha, ang sinasabi natin hulihin ang adik, dalhin natin sa husgado kumbinsihin natin ang piskal muna na ito ay adik. Dalawang bagay pwede siyang i-rehab o kung siya ay nagbebenta rin promotor ng paggamit ng ilegal na droga sa community, ikulong natin,” he stressed, contrasting the previous administration’s controversial ‘war on drugs’ campaign.
The new PNP chief appealed to the public to support his vision of making a new and modern responsive police force.
“Bigyan niyo kami ng pagkakataon na maipakita ang makabagong pulisya. Huwag kayong matakot sa paramihan ng huli. Ang purpose talaga noon is kapag hiningan niyo ng tulong ang pulis, magtatrabaho ang pulis,” he concluded.
