DAVAO CITY, Philippines —Police Brigadier General Nicolas Torre III has recently faced criticism from supporters of Mayor Sebastian Duterte following his appointment as the director of Police Regional Office XI on June 16.
The Torre-Duterte saga has captured public attention, particularly due to Torre’s willingness to confront allegations against him.
A native of Marbel, South Cotabato, Torre’s journey began as a scholar of the Department of Science and Technology at Mapua University in Manila, where he joined the Philippine Constabulary.
Over the years, he has served in various challenging communities across Mindanao, Luzon, and the Visayas. His father, Rodolfo Torre, a retired member of the defunct Philippine Constabulary, was also a distinguished officer, awarded the title of “Best Enlisted Man of the Year” by President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. and Major General Fidel V. Ramos on August 8, 1979.
Reflecting on his father’s legacy and his own career, Torre noted, “I am always hated, but later the community I serve loves me—when I leave for another assignment.”
Challenges
Torre’s career has not been without controversy. In 2017, he encountered significant challenges in the first district of Samar, where he confronted political goons and warlordism. During this tumultuous period, he was declared persona non grata by four out of ten municipalities in the region.
Following a series of conflicts with local officials, particularly with Calbayog City Mayor Ronald Aquino, Torre filed charges of libel and grave misconduct against him. In retaliation, Aquino declared Torre persona non grata on May 21, 2018.
However, on May 10, 2018, the League of Municipalities of the Philippines’ Visayas Cluster passed Resolution No. 1, series of 2018, expressing their confidence in Torre and commending his service across various municipalities in Samar.
Despite the local backlash, Torre’s efforts began to bear fruit. “On May 2, 2023, they presented me with a gold citation and lifted the declaration because the strategies I implemented proved effective,” he recounted. Resolutions to revoke the persona non grata status were passed by Calbayog City and the municipalities of Gandara, Sta. Margarita, and San Jorge—collectively known as CaGaSMas.
During this period, Calbayog earned the grim nickname “Killbayog” due to rampant violence, including political killings and drug-related activities. Torre garnered support from 18 town mayors and one city mayor in his efforts to combat political warlordism and violence in Calbayog, an area notorious for lawlessness.
Throughout Torre’s 20-month tenure in Calbayog, he faced numerous challenges, including the death of Genesis Oquendo, the leader of the infamous Oquendo gang, who was killed in a police operation in November 2017.
Tragically, on March 8, 2021, Mayor Aquino was ambushed and killed, underscoring the volatile situation in the region.
Recognition and Controversy
In May 2023, the provincial government of Samar recognized Torre’s exceptional service by awarding him a gold citation and formally lifting the persona non grata resolution, attributing his success to the disbandment of political warlord factions in the region. “They presented me with a gold citation and lifted the declaration because the strategies I implemented proved effective,” Torre stated.
Additionally, on August 8, 2022, then Chief PNP Rodolfo Azurin Jr. honored Torre for promoting the significance of radio communications within the organization during his time as Chief of the Communications and Electronic Service of the PNP.
Despite being involved in a road rage incident in Quezon City with a cyclist and a former police officer, Torre has reported that no charges have been filed against him as of the latest investigation results while the cyclist and the retired cop became friends.
The Davao Assignment
Torre’s appointment as the PNP XI director came amid heightened scrutiny surrounding Apollo C. Quiboloy, founder of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, following a June 10 raid on his properties. Torre succeeded Brigadier General Aligre Martinez, whose tenure lasted only 49 days amid an ongoing Senate inquiry into the incident.
Upon taking office, Torre faced immediate backlash from Mayor Duterte after he relieved all 19 station commanders of the Davao City Police Office. In response to the mayor’s public criticisms, Torre maintained his professionalism, emphasizing his commitment to upholding the law. He addressed allegations of being labeled a “professional liar,” suggesting that the mayor could pursue a perjury case against him if necessary.
As Torre’s career continues to unfold, it highlights a complex interplay of challenges, community dynamics, and law enforcement in the Philippines, establishing him as a significant figure in the ongoing struggle against crime and political corruption in the region.
The word war between General Torre and Mayor Sebastian Duterte has far-reaching implications for community trust, safety, governance, and political dynamics, ultimately affecting the overall well-being and stability of the region.
The post Torre: Davao’s top cop and his trajectory appeared first on NewsLine Philippines.
Torre: Davao’s top cop and his trajectory
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