Nicolas Deloso Torre III, born on March 11, 1970, is a Filipino police officer who has held various positions within the Philippine National Police (PNP), including serving as the director of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).
Early Career and Challenges in Samar
A graduate of the Philippine National Police Academy’s Tagapaglunsad Class of 1993, Torre served as the provincial director of the Samar Provincial Police Office until 2019. During his tenure, he faced significant challenges:
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Declaration as Persona Non Grata: In 2018, the Calbayog City Council declared Torre persona non grata due to perceived failures in combating criminality and allegations of involvement in partisan political activities during the early election campaign. The council’s vote resulted in six ayes, three nays, and one abstention.
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Feud with Local Officials: Torre had a contentious relationship with Calbayog Mayor Ronaldo Aquino, filing criminal cases against him for libel and grave misconduct. An administrative complaint was also lodged with the National Police Commission, aiming to revoke the mayor’s control over the local police.
Subsequent Appointments and Controversies
Following his assignment in Samar, Torre held several key positions:
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Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Chief: Appointed on August 12, 2022, Torre’s tenure was marked by controversy. He hosted a press conference for retired Patrolman Wilfredo Gonzales, involved in a gun-toting incident with a cyclist at Welcome Rotonda. Torre appealed for public “compassion” towards Gonzales but later apologized for the perceived “VIP treatment.” Accusations arose that Torre attempted to influence the cyclist’s lawyer to dismiss the case, which he denied. The incident led to his resignation from the QCPD.
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Davao Region Police Office Director: In June 2024, Torre was assigned as the acting director of the Davao Regional Police Office. He led operations to arrest Apollo Quiboloy at the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) compound in Davao City. The operation faced challenges, including a standoff due to KOJC members barricading the gate. Davao City Mayor Baste Duterte questioned the legality of the operation. Torre stated that the police would persist “until Quiboloy is found.” Following Quiboloy’s surrender, Torre admitted during a Senate hearing that the police had dug a hole at the compound, with engineers and an architect present, and had hired civilians dressed in PNP uniforms. This led Senator Bato Dela Rosa and KOJC to consider filing cases against the PNP.
Current Position
After the events in Davao, Torre was appointed as the director of the CIDG, continuing his service within the PNP.
Throughout his career, Torre has faced multiple controversies and challenges, leading to various reassignments within the PNP.