Torre vows zero tolerance for extrajudicial killings: ‘CHR is our boss’
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Torre vows zero tolerance for extrajudicial killings: ‘CHR is our boss’
PNP Chief PGen. Nicolas Torre poses for a photograph before an interview inside the ABS-CBN compound in Quezon City on June 4, 2025. Alexis Carlo Corpuz, ABS-CBN News
PNP Chief PGen. Nicolas Torre poses for a photograph before an interview inside the ABS-CBN compound in Quezon City on June 4, 2025. Alexis Carlo Corpuz, ABS-CBN News MANILA (UPDATED) — Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III on Monday acknowledged the Commission on Human Rights’ (CHR) role in holding the police accountable and ensuring that their actions remain within the bounds of the law.
MANILA (UPDATED) — Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III on Monday acknowledged the Commission on Human Rights’ (CHR) role in holding the police accountable and ensuring that their actions remain within the bounds of the law.
“The CHR is our boss on the protection of human rights,” Torre said during his historic attendance at the commission’s flag-raising ceremony, which marked a collaboration between the two agencies that had previously been at odds.
“The CHR is our boss on the protection of human rights,” Torre said during his historic attendance at the commission’s flag-raising ceremony, which marked a collaboration between the two agencies that had previously been at odds.
“I do recognize, at ako’y nagpapasalamat sa CHR for keeping us always on check and being a partner of the Philippine National Police in ensuring that everything we do is within the ambit of the law,” he added.
“I do recognize, at ako’y nagpapasalamat sa CHR for keeping us always on check and being a partner of the Philippine National Police in ensuring that everything we do is within the ambit of the law,” he added.
(I do recognize, and I am thankful to the CHR for keeping us always in check and for being a partner of the Philippine National Police in ensuring that everything we do is within the ambit of the law.)
(I do recognize, and I am thankful to the CHR for keeping us always in check and for being a partner of the Philippine National Police in ensuring that everything we do is within the ambit of the law.)
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Torre assured the CHR that his new “paramihan” directive to police officers — an order to increase the number of arrests as a new performance metric — will be implemented with high regard for human rights, and that no one will be killed.
Torre assured the CHR that his new “paramihan” directive to police officers — an order to increase the number of arrests as a new performance metric — will be implemented with high regard for human rights, and that no one will be killed.
He reiterated that he will not tolerate extrajudicial killings under his leadership.
He reiterated that he will not tolerate extrajudicial killings under his leadership.
“‘Pag lumabas tayo sa judicial process, eh ‘di kriminal na rin tayo; hindi tayo pulis,” he said.
“‘Pag lumabas tayo sa judicial process, eh ‘di kriminal na rin tayo; hindi tayo pulis,” he said.
(If we go beyond the judicial process, then we’re no longer police officers—we're criminals.)
(If we go beyond the judicial process, then we’re no longer police officers—we're criminals.)
Torre is the first PNP chief to visit the CHR.
Torre is the first PNP chief to visit the CHR.
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"Today marks a meaningful milestone in itself. Our guest of honor is the first PNP chief to have visited the Commission on Human Rights, an act that speaks volumes of his sincerity and openness to dialogue. This visit is more than ceremonial; it signals a commitment to fostering a more collaborative, more compassionate approach to law enforcement," CHR Commissioner Atty. Beda Epres said.
"Today marks a meaningful milestone in itself. Our guest of honor is the first PNP chief to have visited the Commission on Human Rights, an act that speaks volumes of his sincerity and openness to dialogue. This visit is more than ceremonial; it signals a commitment to fostering a more collaborative, more compassionate approach to law enforcement," CHR Commissioner Atty. Beda Epres said.
"Ito ay patunay na posibleng magkasama sa iisang layunin at hindi hiwalay ang adhikain sa pagsulong sa karapatang pantao, kapayapaan at seguridad," he added.
"Ito ay patunay na posibleng magkasama sa iisang layunin at hindi hiwalay ang adhikain sa pagsulong sa karapatang pantao, kapayapaan at seguridad," he added.
USE OF FORCE
Torre clarified, however, that police officers could still use force in situations where it is necessary — particularly in cases of self-defense or resistance to arrest — in accordance with Article 11 of the Revised Penal Code, which outlines justifying circumstances.
Torre clarified, however, that police officers could still use force in situations where it is necessary — particularly in cases of self-defense or resistance to arrest — in accordance with Article 11 of the Revised Penal Code, which outlines justifying circumstances.
“Dedepensa ang pulis kung sa kanilang paningin ay endangered sila, pero siyempre graduated ‘yong force din. Eh, may kutsilyo nga, eh kutsilyo naman ng nail cutter. Alangan naman barilin mo ‘yan? Hindi uubra ‘yan. Pero kung may kutsilyo nga, kris naman at malaking espada at tatlo sila, mag-isa ang pulis, aba’y ibang usapan ‘yan,” Torre said.
“Dedepensa ang pulis kung sa kanilang paningin ay endangered sila, pero siyempre graduated ‘yong force din. Eh, may kutsilyo nga, eh kutsilyo naman ng nail cutter. Alangan naman barilin mo ‘yan? Hindi uubra ‘yan. Pero kung may kutsilyo nga, kris naman at malaking espada at tatlo sila, mag-isa ang pulis, aba’y ibang usapan ‘yan,” Torre said.
(A police officer will defend himself if he believes he is in danger, but of course, the use of force must also be proportionate. Say someone has a knife—but it turns out to be just a nail cutter blade. You can't just shoot that person. That won’t stand. But if the suspect has a knife—say, a kris or a large sword—and there are three of them against one officer, well, that’s a different story.)
(A police officer will defend himself if he believes he is in danger, but of course, the use of force must also be proportionate. Say someone has a knife—but it turns out to be just a nail cutter blade. You can't just shoot that person. That won’t stand. But if the suspect has a knife—say, a kris or a large sword—and there are three of them against one officer, well, that’s a different story.)
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He also asked the CHR to encourage policemen to "do their job and not be afraid."
He also asked the CHR to encourage policemen to "do their job and not be afraid."
"I want to reassure the Commission on Human Rights, please help me on this, let us encourage policemen to do their job and not be afraid, as long as what they are doing is right," he added.
"I want to reassure the Commission on Human Rights, please help me on this, let us encourage policemen to do their job and not be afraid, as long as what they are doing is right," he added.
MOU IN THE WORKS
Torre said a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the PNP and CHR was being “fine-tuned.”
Torre said a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the PNP and CHR was being “fine-tuned.”
CHR Chairperson Richard Palpal-latoc welcomed the collaboration, saying it could help strengthen relations and integrate human rights into police duties.
CHR Chairperson Richard Palpal-latoc welcomed the collaboration, saying it could help strengthen relations and integrate human rights into police duties.
He said the police force is the primary institution being monitored by the CHR, as it acts as a frontliner — and more complaints are filed against police personnel than any other group.
He said the police force is the primary institution being monitored by the CHR, as it acts as a frontliner — and more complaints are filed against police personnel than any other group.
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“Sinusuportahan po namin ‘yong tungkulin ng pulis — sila po ‘yong may tungkulin upang pangalagaan ang ating seguridad sa pamayanan. Ang importante sa amin ay as long as the duties performed are within the bounds of the law at kung kailangan pong gumamit ng puwersa ng kapulisan, puwede naman po ‘yan as long as it is necessary and commensurate to the force being confronted with,” Palpal-latoc said.
“Sinusuportahan po namin ‘yong tungkulin ng pulis — sila po ‘yong may tungkulin upang pangalagaan ang ating seguridad sa pamayanan. Ang importante sa amin ay as long as the duties performed are within the bounds of the law at kung kailangan pong gumamit ng puwersa ng kapulisan, puwede naman po ‘yan as long as it is necessary and commensurate to the force being confronted with,” Palpal-latoc said.
(We support the role of the police—they are the ones tasked with maintaining peace and security in our communities. What matters to us is that their duties are performed within the bounds of the law. And if they must use force, that’s acceptable as long as it is necessary and proportionate to the threat they are facing.) -- with a report from Christopher Sitson, ABS-CBN News
(We support the role of the police—they are the ones tasked with maintaining peace and security in our communities. What matters to us is that their duties are performed within the bounds of the law. And if they must use force, that’s acceptable as long as it is necessary and proportionate to the threat they are facing.) -- with a report from Christopher Sitson, ABS-CBN News
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