Reaction to the comments of CPNP Gen. Torre

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ATTY. Rafael Vicente Calinisan assured the people that under his watch, the National Police Commission (Napolcom) will put to good use the trust and respect echoed to the august body by the new Chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) General Nicolas Torre III.

"Nagpapasalamat po tayo sa malaking tiwala at karangalan na ipinatong sa balikat ng Napolcom ng ating bagong hepe ng PNP, si Gen. Torre. Hangga't ako'y nasa Napolcom, hindi po kami titigil para masulit ang tiwala, sa pagsisikap na maging mahusay at katiwa-tiwala ang organisasyon ng pambansang pulisya (We're grateful for the trust and honor bestowed to Napolcom by our new Chief of the PNP, Gen. Torre. Under my watch at Napolcom, we will be relentless to earn the trust, in our effort to secure the best and respectable police organization)," said Calinisan, vice chairperson and executive officer (VCEO) of Napolcom.

The Napolcom VCEO's remarks were made in response to Gen. Torre's statement delivered during his first press conference as the Chief of the PNP.

Torre became the 31st Chief of the PNP on Monday, June 2, after a turnover ceremony at the PNP National Headquarters in Camp Crame, in Quezon City. The event was presided over by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Torre replaced Gen. Rommel Marbil, who retired from police service.

At a press conference held shortly after the turnover ceremony, the new PNP Chief was challenged by the media to lay out his leadership track, with respect to dealing with rights of the accused and human rights during police operations.

"Iimbestigahan namin ang inyong sinasabing pagmamalabis o paglabag sa inyong karapatang-pantao, and you can choose the forum where we'll bring it. We can bring it to the PLEB, we can bring it to the Napolcom. Kasi ang Napolcom talagang katuwang at kapartner natin yan, nandyan si Atty. Ralph Calinisan na katuwang natin na maghuhusga kung nagmalabis ang pulis o hindi. Dadalhin namin sya kay Atty. Ralph Calinisan, at si Atty. Ralph Calinisan ang magsi-sentensya sa kanya. (We will investigate allegations of abuse of authority or violations of human rights, and you can choose the forum where we'll bring it. We can bring it to the PLEB (People's Law Enforcement Board), we can bring it to Napolcom. Napolcom has been a real partner from the start. You have (in Napolcom) Atty. Ralph Calinisan, who is working with us, will judge whether the police made the abuse or not. We will bring the cop before Atty. Ralph Calinisan, and Atty. Ralph Calinisan will sentence the police)," said Torre.

Before his appointment at Napolcom, Calinisan was the chairman and executive officer of Quezon City's People's Law Enforcement Board (PLEB). The body handles complaints against any law enforcement agent of the city, including abusive police officers.

It was during the same period that then-Police Brig. Gen. Nick Torre was the director of the Quezon City Police District.

Calinisan immediately expressed last Thursday, May 29, his confidence in the new leadership of the police organization, when Malacañang announced that Torre is the next PNP Chief, appointed by President Marcos.

"I worked closely with Gen. Torre when he was QCPD district director and when I was chairman and executive officer of the People's Law Enforcement Board (PLEB). He is diligent in his job and I am sure he has the 225,000-strong police force and the Filipino people's best interests at heart," said Calinisan.