In a political shake-up that has left many Filipinos reeling, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has relieved Police General Nicolas Torre III of his post as chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), less than three months after his appointment. The move comes on the heels of Torre’s high-profile role in the arrests of two controversial figures—former President Rodrigo Duterte and religious leader Apollo Quiboloy—an eventful tenure that has left supporters, critics, and political observers with more questions than answers.
When Torre was tapped to lead the PNP in June 2025, the appointment was met with a mix of hope and skepticism. According to ABS-CBN News, Torre had just played a critical role as chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), collaborating with Interpol to arrest Duterte. That arrest, which led to Duterte’s transfer to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands, in March, sent shockwaves through the country. As if that wasn’t enough, Torre had also overseen the capture of the influential Kingdom of Jesus Christ founder, Apollo Quiboloy, in Davao City on charges of human trafficking and sexual exploitation of minors, as reported by GMA Integrated News.
The backlash from Duterte’s supporters was swift and fierce. Many saw Torre’s elevation to PNP chief as a provocation, especially since the former president remains in ICC custody. The tension was palpable, and some political insiders speculated that Torre’s rapid ascent—and equally rapid fall—was a direct consequence of his actions against Duterte and Quiboloy.
Yet, as the dust settled, Torre himself remained remarkably composed. In a recent statement, he addressed the public’s reaction to his removal. "I understand that the President has to make tough decisions and my removal as Chief of the Philippine National Police is just one of them," Torre explained, as cited by ABS-CBN News. He emphasized his loyalty and discipline, saying, "I am a good soldier and I know how to follow instructions." Despite the abrupt end to his leadership, Torre insisted he harbored no resentment toward President Marcos Jr.
For those who expressed sympathy for his situation, Torre offered a redirect: "Thank you to those who feel sorry for me, but I ask you not to pity me... If there is anyone we should pity, it is the millions of our countrymen who are repeatedly victimized by frequent flooding," he said. Torre’s call for compassion toward flood victims highlighted another persistent crisis facing the Philippines, subtly shifting the national conversation from political intrigue to public welfare.
Vice President Sara Duterte, herself caught in the crossfire of these political developments, offered a philosophical take on Torre’s dismissal. When asked for her thoughts, she responded, "Because only God can really say what is right for a person." She added, "I can't say if it's karma or not," suggesting that Torre’s fate might simply be part of "life's journey." Her remarks, reported by GMA Integrated News, reflected a certain resignation but also alluded to the personal stakes involved—after all, it was Torre who had denied her request to visit her father before his transfer to The Hague, telling the former president that Sara could only visit once he was in ICC detention.
Vice President Duterte’s skepticism about Torre’s appointment was not new. Back in June, she described the move as "too sketchy," indicating her discomfort with the rapid changes at the highest levels of the police force. For many of Duterte’s supporters, Torre’s actions—first as CIDG chief and then as PNP chief—were a bitter pill to swallow.
Into this fraught atmosphere stepped Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., now serving as Officer-in-Charge of the PNP. The transition, while swift, has not silenced questions about the true reasons behind Torre’s removal. The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) was quick to deny rumors that Torre’s ouster was linked to his alleged rejection of a gun purchase proposal from Secretary Jonvic Remulla. Instead, Remulla cited Torre’s "defiance to an order of the National Police Commission on the reassignment of key officials" as a contributing factor.
Still, the shadow of political retribution lingers. Torre’s involvement in Duterte’s arrest was a watershed moment in Philippine law enforcement, and his subsequent removal has fueled speculation that the two events are more connected than officials are willing to admit. For his part, Torre has been assigned to the Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit of the PNP Directorate for Personnel and Records Management—a bureaucratic holding pattern that many see as a pause before his next assignment.
Indeed, both Malacañang and the DILG have hinted that Torre may soon be offered another government position. While the specifics remain under wraps, the implication is clear: Torre’s career in public service is far from over. As Secretary Remulla noted, President Marcos Jr. is "considering the former PNP chief for a government position," though details have yet to be disclosed.
Behind the headlines, the story of Nicolas Torre III is one of ambition, controversy, and resilience. His meteoric rise and sudden fall have become a microcosm of the turbulent political landscape in the Philippines, where alliances shift quickly and yesterday’s hero can become today’s casualty. Yet, Torre’s measured response—eschewing bitterness, urging compassion for flood victims, and accepting his fate as part of a larger journey—offers a rare glimpse of humility in the often cutthroat world of politics.
As the nation watches for Torre’s next move, the episode has also reignited debates about police independence, political interference, and the balance of power between the executive branch and law enforcement. Was Torre’s removal a matter of insubordination, as the DILG claims, or was it the inevitable result of taking on powerful figures? The answer, for now, remains elusive.
What is certain is that the saga of Nicolas Torre III has left an indelible mark on the Philippine political scene. In a country where the lines between justice, loyalty, and politics are often blurred, Torre’s story is a reminder that public service is rarely straightforward—and that, sometimes, the real test of leadership comes not in victory, but in how one handles defeat.
