Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday, June 3, questioned the appointment of Gen. Nicolas Torre III as the new Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, describing the decision as “too sketchy” due to alleged violations in his handling of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s arrest.

Speaking to reporters outside The Hague, Vice President Duterte cited recent Senate findings that indicated violations of law by Torre during the arrest of her father. “There are recent findings by the Senate of violations of law of this police officer. So why would you make him chief of police? The decision is way too sketchy,” she stated.

Former President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on March 11, upon arrival from Hong Kong, in compliance with an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) related to its probe into his “war on drugs.” He was subsequently brought to The Hague on the same day.

Torre, who personally led the arrest of the former president and had earlier overseen the arrest of televangelist Apollo Quiboloy, has defended his actions, stating he had the backing of both the Department of Justice and the PNP. However, a Senate panel inquiry led by Senator Imee Marcos, sister of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., had previously claimed the Philippines had no legal obligation to arrest the former leader and turn him over to the ICC, asserting that the arrest violated his rights.

In the same interview, the Vice President also criticized the appointment of Martin Romualdez as Speaker of the House of Representatives, claiming he had been implicated in a bribery case. Vice President Duterte was impeached by the House in February on various charges, including alleged misuse of confidential funds and an alleged threat against Romualdez, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., and First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos.

When asked about her expectations for the PNP under Torre’s leadership, Vice President Duterte responded, “Well, I don’t think our country will become any better or improve because of this.”

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