Torre draws flak over security escorts in Tuguegarao

MANILA, Philippines — Netizens have criticized Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III after a video that showed his arrival in Tuguegarao City with heavy security escorts went viral online.

The clip, posted on X, showed Torre arriving in a black sport utility vehicle and escorted by personnel from the Highway Patrol Group and other police units during his visit at the PNP regional headquarters in Cagayan Valley on Aug. 9.

Describing Torre’s convoy, a netizen captioned the video, “Sobrang dami parang takot na takot na ma-ambush (Too many, as if he is too afraid of getting ambushed).”

Other netizens described the convoy as “overkill.”

Torre was in Tuguegarao to lead the blessing and inauguration of new PNP facilities, participate in a command conference and simulation exercises, and address police officers on the importance of crime prevention and readiness. 

He highlighted the PNP’s five-minute response policy and reminded officers of the “5C” – command, communicate, coordinate, collaborate and control – as part of their operational principles.