President Ferdinand Marcos Jr has appointed Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) chief Police Major General Nicolas Torre III as the new head of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Torre will replace outgoing PNP Chief Police General Rommel Francisco Marbil, who will step down on June 7.
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin announced Torre’s appointment, stating that the turnover ceremony will take place on June 2.
Torre gained prominence due to several high-profile operations, including the arrest of religious leader Pastor Apollo Quiboloy and former President Rodrigo Duterte’s associate.
According to Bersamin, the President had narrowed it down to five candidates, but did not disclose the other names.
Torre immediately expressed gratitude on his Facebook page to those who supported him, saying he could not respond yet to all the congratulatory messages due to their sheer volume.
(Nicolas Torre III FB photo)
Abner is an award-winning journalist. He received the prestigious 2015 Titus Brandsma Award for Community Communication in the Philippines and participated in the 2016 International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) of the United States of America, sponsored by the US Embassy in the Philippines. Founder of WATCH NORTH COTABATO, a media-citizens’ transparency group. He worked as a correspondent for the Philippine Daily Inquirer and CNN Philippines. His experience in broadcasting includes anchoring for Brigada News FM in Kidapawan and General Santos City and Brigada News TV. He anchors Tira Brigada via 105.1 Brigada News FM Manila, Mondays-Saturdays.