President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s decision to appoint Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) Chief Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III as the incoming PNP top leader was based on merit and professionalism, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said on Thursday.

In a Palace press briefing, Bersamin said promotions are given on merit and disclosed that President Marcos had to choose from among five candidates for the PNP’s top post.

“Alam mo lahat ng promotion ay reward yan. But most promotions are given on merit. So let us assume that this was given on merit because, you know, it was not an easy decision on the part of the President,” Bersamin said.

“He considered, to my recollection, five names… but as of this time, the decision was already made and it favored the Police Major General Torre,” he added.

On June 2, Torre will replace PNP chief Police Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil, who will retire next week.

The Executive Secretary was asked whether the successful high-profile police operations Torre recently led have earned him the appointment as the PNP chief.

“Alam mo si Presidente always demands performance. Kahit na ano iyong pinagawa sa iyo, you must exhibit a high degree level of performance,” Bersamin said.

Bersamin said Torre displayed professionalism in the operations he was entrusted with. “He (Torre) was given an assignment. He went at it like it was an ordinary thing. Very professional.”

The Executive Secretary said Torre’s promotion would not cause demoralization among other contenders for PNP chief since the police organization’s leaders are all professional.

“They are all very great professionals, very decorated individuals, so they just follow the Commander-in-Chief or what the President desires,” Bersamin said. | PND