Maj. Gen. Nicholas Torre III, head of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), stated on Tuesday that he received no directives from either the Senate or Malacañang to initiate legal action against former President Rodrigo Duterte. Torre emphasized that the decision to file charges of inciting sedition and unlawful utterances stemmed from his duty as a law enforcement officer, not from external political pressures. He made these remarks during a press conference at Camp Crame, asserting that the police’s role is to enforce the law, and they had identified a clear violation in Duterte’s statements about killing senators. Torre also mentioned that he had informed PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil about his intentions, receiving approval to proceed with the charges. He stressed the importance of the police taking action before others, to avoid embarrassment and uphold their responsibility. The complaints were filed as part of a case buildup at the Department of Justice (DOJ), with Torre leaving it to the prosecutors to decide which charges to pursue. He criticized Duterte for not fulfilling promises made to police during his drug war and for making light of serious issues, including comments about rape and murder. Torre concluded by emphasizing the need for adherence to the law in the ‘New Philippines,’ rejecting the shortcuts tolerated in the past.
CIDG Chief Clarifies No External Pressure in Filing Charges Against Duterte
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