(UPDATE) PHILIPPINE National Police chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III said Monday he would institutionalize a three-minute response time in major urban centers dedicated to protecting Filipinos from harm, and said this would be the first pillar of his leadership.
“I stand before you as a public servant humbled by the enormity of the task and inspired by the mission all of us share, to serve and protect the Filipino people with integrity, courage and compassion,” Torre said as he became the 31st PNP chief, replacing Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil in turnover rites presided by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Camp Crame.
TURNOVER RITES MGen. Nicolas Torre III salutes after taking his oath as chief of the Philippine National Police on June 2, 2025, at Camp Crame in Quezon City. He replaced Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil (center). PHOTO BY MIKE ALQUINTO
Torre said that the three-minute response time is not just a benchmark, “it is a lifeline… Every call for help deserves immediate attention and action.”
“We will be present; you will see us in the streets, in communities, in markets and in every place our presence [is needed] in order to provide peace of mind,” Torre said.
Wherever Filipinos are, they are safe, he said.
To support the three-minute response time, Torre presented pillar No. 2 of his leadership: unity and morale within the ranks intended to strengthen the PNP core guided by discipline, mutual respect and leadership by example.
“To our men and women in uniform, we expect the best from you in protecting others. With this expectation, we will also give you the best training, best leadership, best support and best opportunity to grow in this institution because those who are asked to give all also deserve nothing less in return,” Torre said.
He unveiled pillar No. 3 that gave importance to accountability and modernization, in support of President Marcos’ reform agenda designed to “modernize systems, enhance investigative tools and adopt innovative technologies that protect rights while ensuring order.”
“In support of these pillars, I give you these promises: “We will reward those policemen who will work hard on our three pillars, respond to the public swiftly, unite and uplift the morale of your fellow public servants and hold yourselves and others within the ranks accountable.”
He also urged police personnel to deliver excellence in police work, file affidavits, execute warrants, bring criminals to justice, testify in court and provide evidence against criminals to support their conviction.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. attends the Change of Command ceremony and retirement rites for outgoing Philippine National Police chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil at Camp Crame in Quezon City, on June 2 2025. Major General Nicolas Torre III took over as PNP chief. PHOTOS BY MIKE ALQUINTO
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. attends the Change of Command ceremony and retirement rites for outgoing Philippine National Police chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil at Camp Crame in Quezon City, on June 2 2025. Major General Nicolas Torre III took over as PNP chief. PHOTOS BY MIKE ALQUINTO
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. attends the Change of Command ceremony and retirement rites for outgoing Philippine National Police chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil at Camp Crame in Quezon City, on June 2 2025. Major General Nicolas Torre III took over as PNP chief. PHOTOS BY MIKE ALQUINTO
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. attends the Change of Command ceremony and retirement rites for outgoing Philippine National Police chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil at Camp Crame in Quezon City, on June 2 2025. Major General Nicolas Torre III took over as PNP chief. PHOTOS BY MIKE ALQUINTO
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. attends the Change of Command ceremony and retirement rites for outgoing Philippine National Police chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil at Camp Crame in Quezon City, on June 2 2025. Major General Nicolas Torre III took over as PNP chief. PHOTOS BY MIKE ALQUINTO
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. attends the Change of Command ceremony and retirement rites for outgoing Philippine National Police chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil at Camp Crame in Quezon City, on June 2 2025. Major General Nicolas Torre III took over as PNP chief. PHOTOS BY MIKE ALQUINTO
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. attends the Change of Command ceremony and retirement rites for outgoing Philippine National Police chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil at Camp Crame in Quezon City, on June 2 2025. Major General Nicolas Torre III took over as PNP chief. PHOTOS BY MIKE ALQUINTO
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. attends the Change of Command ceremony and retirement rites for outgoing Philippine National Police chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil at Camp Crame in Quezon City, on June 2 2025. Major General Nicolas Torre III took over as PNP chief. PHOTOS BY MIKE ALQUINTO
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. attends the Change of Command ceremony and retirement rites for outgoing Philippine National Police chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil at Camp Crame in Quezon City, on June 2 2025. Major General Nicolas Torre III took over as PNP chief. PHOTOS BY MIKE ALQUINTO
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. attends the Change of Command ceremony and retirement rites for outgoing Philippine National Police chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil at Camp Crame in Quezon City, on June 2 2025. Major General Nicolas Torre III took over as PNP chief. PHOTOS BY MIKE ALQUINTO
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. attends the Change of Command ceremony and retirement rites for outgoing Philippine National Police chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil at Camp Crame in Quezon City, on June 2 2025. Major General Nicolas Torre III took over as PNP chief. PHOTOS BY MIKE ALQUINTO
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. attends the Change of Command ceremony and retirement rites for outgoing Philippine National Police chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil at Camp Crame in Quezon City, on June 2 2025. Major General Nicolas Torre III took over as PNP chief. PHOTOS BY MIKE ALQUINTO
“I stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the over 220,000-strong and dedicated men and women of the PNP, each one entrusted with upholding the dignity and honor that our badge represents,” Torre said.
He also challenged each and every member of the PNP to be louder than him not only in words but also in action, “when you are doing extraordinary things for the people, you deserve to be heard and recognized.”
He also pledged to uphold everyone’s rights, safety, dignity. “I promise that all of our laws apply equally to all regardless of nationality,” he said.
In his speech, Marcos directed Torre to lead the PNP to address problems such as transnational crimes, cyberthreats, extremist violence and police misconduct and to ensure ramped-up police visibility to make Filipinos feel safe and protected.
He also ordered continuous campaigns against illegal drugs while making sure human rights are respected and upheld.
“The opportunities to earn trust and improve public service have never been more reachable. Your leadership will define what kind of police force we’ll continue to build — one that acts with precision, responds with compassion, and stands with a pillar of accountability,” the chief executive said during the Change of Command ceremony held at the PNP headquarters in Camp Crame in Quezon City.
“Be instruments of peace, justice and development,” he added.
The president reminded Torre that there is no let-up in cleansing the organization of rogue cops and of ridding society of illegal drugs.
“My challenge to you is to keep the ranks of our police force clean and honorable. Expedite the investigation of cases against officers who have violated the law so that we can deliver justice as soon as possible,” he said in Filipino.
“Keep our police ranks clean and honorable. Speed up the investigation of the cases against the policemen who broke the law so that justice may be delivered swiftly,” he said.
“With the help of PDEA, continue the fight against illegal drugs. We will still conduct drug seizures and ensure that drug dealers and drug lords are prosecuted. Continue to monitor our communities so that even the small-time drug dealers are not safe,” he said.
Communities must also have the confidence to run to the PNP in times of emergencies and crises.
“Increase the presence of the police in the streets. Make sure there are more police patrolling the streets and patrolling our communities, especially in areas where crime and disorder are frequent,” Marcos said.
“When the people are in need, there should be a police officer who responds immediately. Let’s make Filipinos feel that there is a policeman who is ready to sympathize and defend them at all times,” he added.
Torre vowed that the PNP “shall work harder to ensure that our communities are safe, rights are respected, and trust is earned.”
Torre, as Police Regional Office 11 (PRO 11) chief, orchestrated the capture of Kingdom of Jesus Christ founder Apollo Quiboloy on Sept. 8, 2024, in Davao City over charges of human trafficking and sexual exploitation of minors.
Senate President Francis Escudero said Torre’s appointment as PNP chief was the fulfillment of the 35-year-old Republic Act (RA) 6975, which aims to make the PNP “civilian in nature.”
Torre is the first PNP head who is not a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy.
Torre belongs to Class 1993 of the Philippine National Police Academy.
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