PNP chief Torre wants 'paramihan' system in arrests; directive raises abuse concerns
Newly-minted Philippine National Police Chief Nicolas Torre III wanted a "paramihan" system that turns arrests into a competition, rewarding officers the more criminals they catch. His proposal, however, has raised concerns.
Torre, who became the top cop on June 2, in a press briefing said that under his leadership, one of the metrics for police performance is the number of arrests.
"Paramihan, paramihan," he said. "Make sure that everything we do is within the ambit of the law. Aresto."
He reminded officers that their excellence at work is measured by their capability to arrest.
"Kung talagang magaling kang pulis, hindi ka papayag na ang kriminal na ‘yan, they're going scot-free. There's only one way of doing that. Arestuhin mo sila."
He, however, reminded them that arresting is different from killing. "Tandaan natin ang mga tao na inaresto mo, hindi mo binaril, hindi mo pinatay. Buhay iyan.”
“Andiyan ang human rights, andiyan ang media, andiyan ang mga abogado," Torre added. "Kapag magreklamo iyan, dito ka naman babalik sa internal discipline machinery. Nandiyan ang Internal Affairs Service, iimbestigahan, titingnan kung tama ang iyong ginawa."
Torre's directive came on the heels of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s call for the PNP to pursue small-scale drug dealers again as part of the administration's anti-narcotics campaign.
Could lead to abuse, undermine human rights
However, the Commission on Human Rights said Torre's "paramihan" system directive could lead to abuse and undermine human rights.
In a statement, the CHR said that while it acknowledges Torre's instruction for police actions to remain "within the ambit of the law" and that there are "checks and balances" to ensure accountability, it may "unintentionally pressure officers to prioritize quantity over quality."
"Historically, such frameworks have risked incentivizing shortcuts, abusive, or arbitrary practices, which undermine human rights and erode public trust in law enforcement," it said.
The CHR noted that "effective policing is best measured not by the volume of arrests, but by the quality of investigations, respect for due process, and the consistent upholding of legal and ethical standards."
"To this end, we encourage the PNP leadership to issue clear, rights-based guidelines for performance evaluation, ensuring that any operational targets do not compromise civil liberties or lead to discrimination, especially against vulnerable sectors who are prone to abuse due to lack of access to remedies," it said.
It expressed hope that Torre is committed to "ensuring professionalism and rule of law within the police force."
'Para magkaroon ng kompetisyon ang ating mga pulis'
In a press briefing on June 4, Torre was asked about the risks of the "paramihan" system, he doubled down on it.
"Tama iyon, para magkaroon ng kompetisyon ang ating mga pulis," he said. "Sa ating mga pulis, titigil lang tayo sa paghuli pag wala na tayong makitang kriminal. Kung wala nang kriminal, tapos na rin ang trabaho ng pulis."
But he reiterated that it's all about catching and never killing.
"Kahit gaano karami diyan, kahit umabuso ang pulis diyan, pag sa tingin nila walang basehan na nanghuli ang pulis, tandaan natin, basic human rights ang right for counsel," he said, adding that the likes of the Public Attorney's Office provide free services.
"Hindi ito 'yung dating nangyayari na patay ang tao, ang nagrereklamo, 'yung pamilya," he said.
Torre also pointed out that the "paramihan" system is not exclusive to drug operations but crimes in general.
"Ako'y naniniwalang isa lang ang paraan para patahimikin natin ang pamayanan. Isa lang ang paraan para mawala ang criminality diyan... alisin ang kriminal sa ating community," he said.
"Hulihin natin. Huwag nating pabayaan. Dalhin natin sa husgado," he added. "Pagkaaresto, dadalhin mo sa piskalya."
Torre urged the public to "trust the process."
"Alam kong mahirap sabihin iyan, pero the choice is here," he said.
As regards the fabrication of evidence, Torre said he cannot assure that the police won't do that.
"Pero pag ginawa nila, ididismiss ko sila sa serbisyo. Ikukulong ko sila for incriminatory machinations," he said. "Mind you, noong nasa CIDG ako, meron kaming inimbestigahan, hanggang ngayon, nasa kulungan, lieutenant colonel at siyam na [non-commissioned officer]."
'We will not condone wanton killings'
In response to the CHR's statement, Torre pointed out that they won't condone wanton killings.
"Ngayon, andyan ang CHR, then we will liaise with them, talk to them, at gawin natin silang partners na pag merong abuso ang pulis, then we will very, very much welcome the investigation to be launched by the CHR," he said. "Isa silang ahensiyang pwedeng dumulog ang mga hinuli ng pulis o kamag-anak nila na sinasabi na feeling nila, inaresto sila nang walang basehan... we'll fully partner with the CHR."
Torre also pointed out that in the case of a warrantless arrest, the officer must still put into writing the circumstances that led to it, sign it, and swear before a fiscal.
"Pag napatunayan na ang kaniyang sinabi diyan ay mali, kulong ang pulis diyan. Perjury, dismissal from service. May kulong pa iyan," he said.
He then reiterated that that's when the metrics of performance come in.
"Pero malaki rin ang risk kung gagawa ka ng ilegal na aresto, lalong-lalo na sa Metro Manila kung saan nagkalat ang CCTV at cell phones," he said.
"Magtiwala po tayo sa proseso," he added.
Torre was the first PNP chief to have graduated from the Philippine National Police Academy. He was a member of the PNPSA Tagapaglunsad Class of 1993.
He served as police chief in Samar, Quezon City, and Davao.
Torre led the attempt to serve an arrest warrant against Kingdom of Jesus Christ founder Apollo Quiboloy in August 2024.
Last March 2025, Torre, already the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group chief, led the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte and his subsequent handover to the International Criminal Court on charges of crimes against humanity.
