In a move that has sent ripples through the Philippines’ law enforcement and political circles, Major General Nicolas Torre III was relieved as Chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on August 25, 2025. The decision, effective immediately, was formally confirmed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin the following day. Torre’s abrupt removal, after less than three months at the helm, marks one of the shortest tenures for a PNP chief in the institution’s history, and leaves behind a host of questions about the future direction of the country’s police force.
Torre, who assumed the post on June 2, 2025, after the retirement of Gen. Rommel Marbil, was the first chief in PNP history to have graduated from the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA). His appointment was initially hailed as a milestone by many in law enforcement, with hopes that his background and experience would usher in a new era for the organization. Yet, as events would quickly unfold, his time as chief would be defined as much by controversy as by innovation.
According to local media reports and a letter from Executive Secretary Bersamin, Torre was instructed to ensure a proper turnover to maintain continuity of police service. The official reason for Torre’s removal was not detailed in the government’s statements, leaving much room for speculation. Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, addressing the issue on August 26, offered some insight, saying, “The national security apparatus is always in one direction. In this case...the president felt that he had to straighten things out. And the decision was made to replace General Torre.”
Behind the scenes, friction between Torre and the National Police Commission (Napolcom) appears to have played a significant role. According to several reports, a key flashpoint was Torre’s appointment of Police Lt. Gen. Bernard Banac as Deputy Chief for Administration. Napolcom nullified this appointment, citing procedural issues, but Torre pressed forward, publicly presenting Banac in the new role. This move was seen by some as a challenge to Napolcom’s authority, and Torre’s insistence on unity within the PNP during the dispute was widely noted. Still, the specifics of the disagreement have not been fully aired in public, fueling further speculation about the real reasons for his ouster.
Social media, never one to shy away from intrigue, was abuzz with rumors that Torre’s removal might be linked to a clash with a “corrupt government official.” However, no credible evidence has surfaced to substantiate these claims, and officials have not commented on the matter. The lack of transparency has only added to the sense of uncertainty surrounding the leadership shakeup.
During his brief tenure, Torre made several notable moves aimed at improving police performance and public safety. Among his most talked-about initiatives was the introduction of a five-minute rapid response policy in Metro Manila, designed to boost crime-fighting efficiency and restore public confidence in the police. While it is too early to gauge the full impact of this policy, the effort drew praise from some quarters for its ambition and focus on quick action.
Torre’s career, both before and during his time as PNP chief, has been marked by headline-grabbing operations and a willingness to take on high-profile cases. As director of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), he led the controversial arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte in March 2025, acting on a warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC). The move was unprecedented and deeply polarizing, with supporters lauding Torre’s commitment to the rule of law, while critics accused him of political grandstanding. Just months earlier, in September 2024, Torre had also overseen a high-profile operation against religious leader Apollo Quiboloy and his associates, further cementing his reputation as a decisive—if sometimes divisive—figure in Philippine law enforcement.
His public persona extended beyond policing, too. In a lighter, yet widely publicized episode, Torre accepted a charity boxing match challenge from Davao City acting mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte. The bout, scheduled for July 27, 2025, at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum, was intended to raise funds for calamity victims. In the end, the event fizzled when Duterte failed to show, handing Torre a win by default—an anticlimactic end to what had been billed as a spirited showdown.
Torre’s time in law enforcement has also not been without internal controversy. As Quezon City Police District chief, he drew criticism for holding a press conference involving a gun-toting former police officer, a decision that raised eyebrows among both the public and his peers. Still, many of his colleagues have pointed to his track record in the Davao Region and at CIDG as evidence of his dedication and effectiveness.
With his sudden exit from the PNP, speculation has turned to Torre’s next possible role. Social media has been rife with talk that he could be tapped as the next chief of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), a department currently under scrutiny for corruption-tainted infrastructure projects. However, there is no official confirmation of this, and recent developments suggest that other figures are more likely candidates. Notably, former DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson confirmed on August 22, 2025, that Malacañang had approached him to return as DPWH chief. Singson declined, citing personal reasons, but expressed willingness to lead an independent body to review DPWH projects. The current DPWH Secretary, Manuel Bonoan, meanwhile, has been actively managing controversies within the agency, including the reassignment of district engineers amid graft allegations. There is no indication at this time that Bonoan is set to be replaced or that Torre is being seriously considered for the job.
As the dust settles, many are left wondering what the future holds for both Torre and the PNP. His supporters argue that his boldness and operational acumen made him the right man for the job, if only for a short time. Critics, on the other hand, point to the friction with oversight bodies and the abrupt end to his leadership as signs of deeper problems within the police force’s upper ranks.
One thing is clear: the events of August 2025 have once again thrust the issue of police leadership and accountability into the national spotlight. Whether Torre will return to public service in another capacity or fade quietly from the scene remains to be seen, but his brief, tumultuous tenure as PNP chief will not soon be forgotten in Philippine law enforcement history.