Ilonggo PNP Chief Reaffirms Tough Stance vs Illegal Drugs

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III reaffirmed that the organization’s position against illegal drugs remains unchanged.

“We have never changed our stance on illegal drugs: no compromise tayo diyan,” Torre said during his command visit at the Police Regional Office (PRO) 6 headquarters at Camp Martin Delgado in Iloilo City on Saturday.

Torre stressed that there will be no mercy for those actively engaged in illegal drug activities.

He also clarified recent statements encouraging more arrests, emphasizing that this does not equate to setting quotas.

“When I say padamu-ay (paramihan or getting more numbers), to some extent, it means that if you’ve arrested more suspects, it shows you are actively pursuing criminals and putting them behind bars,” he said.

Torre said the PNP uses metrics, such as arrests, to evaluate performance and possibly award promotions.

“But this is far from being like the quota system of the previous administration,” he said.

“There’s no quota—definitely none,” he added.

“What we’re doing is encouraging police to conduct interventions, such as using the arrest rule on warrantless arrests.”

Torre explained that by arresting suspects, police remove criminals from the streets and prevent them from continuing illegal activities.

He also clarified that his directive is not limited to drug suspects but applies to all criminal offenders.

He emphasized that the PNP does not condone killing suspects or denying them their day in court.

Proud of Ilonggo Heritage

Though he was raised in Koronadal, South Cotabato, Torre proudly traces his roots to Iloilo.

Before his engagement at the PRO-6 headquarters, he visited his mother’s grave at the Dumangas Municipal Cemetery.

He also took time to speak with local residents before heading to Camp Martin Delgado for a command conference.

Torre’s mother was from Barangay Jardin in Dumangas, while his father hailed from Tigbauan.

“Ako nalipay nga makabalik sa Iloilo (I’m happy to be back in Iloilo),” Torre said.

He even sang a line from the well-known song “Iloilo ang Banwa Ko.”

Torre’s father was a master sergeant in the now-defunct Philippine Constabulary, while his mother worked as a teacher.