Who is General Nicolas Torre? Philippine Police Chief Fired by President Marcos

MANILA, Philippines – Tuesday, August 27, 2025 – Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has officially removed General Nicolas Torre, the chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP). Torre, who had gained international attention for leading the arrests of ex-President Rodrigo Duterte and televangelist Apollo Quiboloy, was relieved of his position without a clear explanation from the government.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin confirmed the decision in a public letter. He instructed Torre to hand over all official duties immediately. General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. has been named as the new police chief.

Why was General Nicolas Torre removed?

Officials have not given a specific reason for Torre’s removal. Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla explained that Torre was not accused of any crime or wrongdoing. Instead, the president wanted to take a “new direction” for the police force. Reports suggest Torre had disagreements with government officials after reassigning several senior officers, including Nartatez.

Torre’s high-profile arrests

General Torre rose to prominence after two controversial arrests:

• Rodrigo Duterte’s arrest (March 2025): Torre led the chaotic operation at Manila’s international airport, handing the former president over to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Netherlands. Duterte faces charges of crimes against humanity over his bloody anti-drug war, which left thousands dead.

• Apollo Quiboloy’s arrest (2024): Torre, then regional police chief in Davao, commanded thousands of officers during the arrest of televangelist Quiboloy, who is on the FBI’s most-wanted list for alleged child sex trafficking. His followers clashed with police during the raid.

Marcos and Torre’s relationship

Just days before his dismissal, Torre showcased a new anti-crime battle room to President Marcos. The system aimed to respond to law-and-order incidents within five minutes. Despite this, the president replaced him, leaving many questions unanswered.

What’s next for Torre?

It is unclear whether Torre will be reassigned to another government position. For now, his removal has sparked debate, especially because of his central role in two of the most high-profile arrests in Philippine history.