Manila: Newly appointed Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III on Tuesday said all actions committed by the police force, particularly in the campaign against illegal drugs, adhere to the country’s laws and protect the rights of citizens.
According to Philippines News Agency, Torre’s remarks came after the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) expressed concern over his directive that the number of arrests linked to illegal drugs will be among the standards in assessing police personnel’s performance. “We are not encouraging illegal shortcuts, nor are we measuring success solely by the number of arrests. What we are advocating for is genuine, lawful action. Everything we do is within the ambit of the law,” Torre said in a statement.
He emphasized that all police operations strictly follow legal standards and due process, as provided under the Constitution, Revised Rules of Criminal Procedure, and the PNP Operational Procedures. Torre clarified that his call for police officers to be more proactive in nabbing drug offenders and other criminals is not a race in numbers, but a challenge for greater diligence, efficiency, and lawfulness in police work.
“If you believe in your case, go to the prosecutor, raise your hand to the judge, and present your evidence. That’s the only way to prove you’re a good police officer -arrest the criminal, follow due process, and let the courts decide,” he said. Torre further stressed that arresting officers are bound by strict guidelines that require valid warrants or lawful grounds for warrantless arrest.
Torre stated that police personnel are continuously being trained and reminded to conduct operations with utmost professionalism, respect for human rights, and adherence to standard procedures, including non-lethal tactics and the humane treatment of persons deprived of liberty. “We welcome the reminder of the CHR and we assure them -and the Filipino people- that due process remains at the heart of our anti-drug campaign. We are committed to ensuring that no rights are violated in the performance of our sworn duties,” he said.
Meanwhile, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Tuesday underscored the need to end the recurring blame game between police officers and prosecutors, urging stronger collaboration between the PNP and the Department of Justice (DOJ). “This time, it stops. This time, we work together. This time, we train together. This time, we learn together. And this time, we win together,” Remulla said at the signing of the pledge of commitment to the Training and Educational Program for DOJ Prosecutors and Law Enforcement Agents (TEPLEA) 2025 at the DOJ Building in Manila.
TEPLEA 2025 is a nationwide training effort that aims to strengthen coordination and professionalism among law enforcement agencies and prosecution offices. Its first batch includes 100 personnel from the PNP, DOJ, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). Remulla called out public cynicism fueled by the lack of visibility of positive efforts by justice and enforcement institutions.
“We do not hear the good things the DOJ has done in promoting conviction. We do not hear about the Coast Guard defending our territorial integrity against the Chinese. Because of this, people become cynical. TEPLEA is one chance to erase that cynicism,” he said. Also present during the event were Torre, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, NBI Director Jaime Santiago, PCG Vice Admiral Edgar Iba±ez, Department of Transportation Assistant Secretary Dioscoro Reyes, and PDEA Deputy Director General Israel Ephraim Dickson.
