Philippines has a new police chief: Meet Major General Nicolas Torre

Manila: General Nicolas Torre III officially took the helm of the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday, pledging to uphold meritocracy and reject influence-based appointments during his tenure.

“Under my leadership, action will be rewarded. ‘Pogi points’ are not enough,” Torre declared during his assumption speech at Camp Crame, Quezon City. 

The term "pogi points" is a Filipino colloquialism referring to efforts made merely to gain admiration or favorable attention.

Torre emphasised that only competent and high-performing personnel would be given leadership roles within the organisation.

“Appointments will be based solely on merit. The most capable will be placed in the right positions at the right time. Deliver excellence in your police work and you will be recognized and rewarded,” he said.

Key priorities: Faster emergency response, accountability, and unity

The new police chief also laid out his strategic agenda, which includes improving emergency response times, boosting morale and unity among police ranks, modernizing police technology, and holding erring officers accountable.

“Respond to the public swiftly. Unite and uplift the morale of your fellow public servants. And hold yourself and your peers accountable,” he urged. “No need for endorsements under my leadership. Just real talk, real work.”

Torre stressed that all reforms and actions must remain “within the ambit of the law,” adding that decisions must be “evidence-based and rights-respecting.”

“I challenge each and every member of the PNP to be louder than me — not in words, but in action,” he said.

Ground-level experience

Torre replaces outgoing PNP Chief General Rommel Marbil, who retired earlier on Monday. 

Marbil expressed optimism about his successor, saying Torre is well-positioned to “sustain the gains” of the police force in crime reduction and law enforcement.

Before his appointment as the country’s 31st PNP Chief, Torre served as director of the Davao Region police and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).

Arresting officer of Quiboloy

In September, Torre led the operation to arrest Filipino Christian pastor Apolo Quibolo, who was charged with child abuse, sexual abuse, and qualified trafficking.

Quiboloy, currently detained in the Philippines, also faces an arrest warrant in the US.

More recently, in March 2025, Torre commanded the high-profile arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte. 

The former president was turned over to the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands, where he faces accusations of crimes against humanity linked to the deadly war on drugs during his administration.

Appointment backed by Presidential Palace

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin officially announced Torre’s appointment last Thursday, affirming the administration’s confidence in his leadership.

Torre’s clear message to the ranks: performance, integrity, and accountability will be the currency of advancement in the new PNP.

Who is the new PNP chief:

Police General Nicolas Deloso Torre III, born on March 11, 1970, in Jolo, Sulu, is the 31st Chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the first PNPA graduate to hold the position.

He graduated from the academy in 1993 as part of the "Tagapaglunsad" Class.

Torre's career includes roles as director of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), where he led high-profile operations such as the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte in March 2025, and director of the Quezon City Police District.

His father, Rodolfo Molarto "Dolping" Torre was a master sergeant of the Philippine Constabulary, while his mother was a teacher. He is the eldest of five children, and the only one to become a police officer.

Rodolfo Torre was assassinated in 1990 in Lutayan, Sultan Kudarat.

Nicolas Torre attended the Notre Dame of Marbel in his hometown for his elementary studies, and graduated as a valedictorian.

At the Koronadal National Comprehensive High School, he graduated as a salutatorian.

He considered pursuing a career as an engineer. A beneficiary of a scholarship programme by the Department of Science and Technology, Torre entered the Mapua Institute of Technology's electronics and communications engineering program to accomplish the 72 prerequisite college academic units to be able to enroll in the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA).

General Torre assumed the role of PNP Chief on June 2, 2025.