President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday called on new Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief PGen. Nicolas Torre III to lead efforts to restore the trust of the people in the police force and improve its service to the public.
“Your leadership will help define what kind of police force we continue to build: one that acts with precision, responds with compassion, and stands as a pillar of accountability,” President Marcos told the new PNP chief during the change of command ceremony at Camp Crame.
PGen. Torre succeeded PGen. Rommel Marbil, who bowed out of police service after a four-month term extension.
Marbil reached the mandatory retirement age of 56 on February 7, 2025, but President Marcos extended his service until last Sunday.
Marbil, a member of the Philippine Military Academy’s Sambisig Class of 1991, served as the 30th PNP chief from April 1, 2024, to June 1, 2025.
“Your assumption of command comes at a time that calls for clarity, for courage, and for conviction. These challenges that we face are evolving—we have transnational crimes, cyber threats, extremist violence, and even police misconduct,” the President said.
“At the same time, the opportunities to earn trust and improve public service have never been more reachable,” President Marcos said.
Amid the glitz and glamor at the turnover ceremony, applause and cheers were given to Torre by men and women in gala uniforms and guests in formal attire.
But one group seemed to applaud Torre more heartily and the loudest, despite being a small number — they were Torre’s own personnel at the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG). Torre was the CIDG chief before his appointment as the top cop.
Sporting their simple gray barongs, the handful of CIDG personnel came to support their boss as he took over a higher assignment — leading the 220,000-strong police force.
“Masaya po kami, kasi nakita namin siya mismo magtrabaho. Napaka-hands on niya at hindi titigil yan si sir hanggang hindi natatapos,” one CIDG police officer told the Presidential News Desk.
“We were not expecting (Torre to be chosen as PNP chief), but hoping, kasi nakikita nga namin yung trabaho ni Sir,” the officer added.
“Hindi pa natin masabi kung maiiwan nga kami, kasi puwede rin kaming dalhin ni sir (to the Office of the PNP Chief),” another officer said. | PND
