Geline Salac

‘Masyadong sketchy ‘yung decision: VP Duterte on Torre’s appointment as PNP chief

Article (news)

David Dizon

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/206v4IeGJg0?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><p>Vice President Sara Duterte questioned Tuesday the appointment of Gen. Nicolas Torre III as Philippine National Police chief, saying there were violations in Torre’s serving of the arrest warrant of former president Rodrigo Duterte.</p><p>“May recent findings ang Senate of violations of law of this police officer. So bakit mo naman gagawin chief of police? Masyadong sketchy &#x27;yung decision,” she told reporters outside The Hague in the Netherlands.</p><p>Former president Rodrigo Duterte was <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/3/11/duterte-arrested-on-icc-warrant-over-drug-war-killings-0126">arrested</a> at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on March 11  upon his arrival from Hong Kong at the request of the International Criminal Court (ICC) as part of its probe into his &quot;war on drugs&quot; that defined his presidency.</p><p>The ICC warrant for Duterte&#x27;s arrest said that as president, the 80-year-old Duterte allegedly created, funded, and armed death squads that carried out murders of purported drug users and dealers.</p><p>He was brought to The Hague in the Netherlands on the same day he was arrested.</p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qXBleBgGKkA?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><p>Torre has defended his decision to serve the warrant of arrest against Duterte, saying he had the <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/4/10/cidg-chief-torre-says-arrest-of-duterte-was-lawful-2031">backing</a> of both the Department of Justice and the PNP.</p><p>A Senate panel inquiry led by Sen. Imee Marcos, sister of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, earlier claimed the Philippines had <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/3/27/after-preliminary-senate-report-palace-reiterates-duterte-arrest-followed-ph-laws-1646">no legal obligation</a> to arrest the former leader and turn him over to the ICC and that the arrest violated the former leader&#x27;s rights.</p><p>Before Duterte’s arrest, Torre also led the search for and eventual arrest of televangelist Apollo Quiboloy in Davao City, prior to his promotion as Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) chief.</p><p>In the interview, the Vice President also criticized the appointment of Martin Romualdez as Speaker of the House of Representatives and claimed the latter had been implicated in a bribery case. </p><p>The Vice President was <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/2/5/house-impeaches-vp-sara-duterte-1551">impeached</a> by the House of Representatives last February on various charges including alleged misuse of confidential funds as well as an alleged threat against Romualdez, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos. </p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6JC7sCr96o0?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>Vice President Sara Duterte questioned Tuesday the appointment of Gen. Nicolas Torre III as Philippine National Police chief, saying there were violations in Torre’s serving of the arrest warrant of former president Rodrigo Duterte.</p>

Vice President Sara Duterte questioned Tuesday the appointment of Gen. Nicolas Torre III as Philippine National Police chief, saying there were violations in Torre’s serving of the arrest warrant of former president Rodrigo Duterte.