This screengrab from an Instagram story from former president Rodrigo Duterte’s daughter, Veronica Duterte, shows Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Director Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III clashing with members of Duterte’s camp over whether the latter could be taken out of Villamor Airbase on a chartered flight last March 11, 2025. (Screengrab from Veronica Duterte/Instagram)
MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police – Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) chief Maj. Gen. Nicholas dela Torre III admitted before the Senate panel on foreign affairs that it was necessary to use force during the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
At a committee hearing on Thursday, Sen. Imee Marcos asked Torre what the protocol of the PNP is in terms of arresting an individual.
The senator was citing a footage where Torre was seen “dragging” Duterte’s legal counsel aboard the plane.
“Gabi na po yan (It was nigh time) maam. That’s already the time I’m forcing everyone to board the plane. I’m already forcing the former president to board the plane. Napakarami na nilang optics na kanilang ginawa dyan (They demonstrated a lot of optics already),” said Torre.
“Interesting use of force. You were forcing them. So you admit, you forced them, [There is] violence,” said Marcos.
“I have to. Because they won’t go with us voluntarily. I have tried all the — lahat ng pakiusap ay ginawa na namin buong araw (We tried to convince them the whole day),” Torre explained.
This did not sit well with Sen. Marcos who proceeded to point out the former president’s old age and weak condition.
“Naku, General naman. Sa dinami dami ng pulis. Ang tanda-tanda na, may sakit pa. Sa palagay mo ay may sindak pa yun o kaya bang lumaban noon,” said Marcos.
(With so many police officers, and considering that he’sold and sick, do you think he can still resist?)
Later into the hearing, Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada asked Torre if he thinks he handled Duterte’s arrest well.
Torre said the arrest was made properly.
“But when I saw the video, it was really for me, as a citizen of this country, it was really unbelievable, it was really a big disappointment. I can relate. General,” said Estrada.
The Senate’s second top leader recalled his experience in 2001, saying that the same thing happened.
“In the wee hours of the morning, we were, the policemen barged in our hospital room at the Veterans Memorial Hospital. They were arresting us. They wanted us to be transferred to another detention cell because after the May 1 siege, at ano sabi ng mga pulis? Kaladkarin na yan mga yan pag ayaw sumama, (What did the police say? Drag thjem if they refuse to go),” said Estrada.
He said his experiences came back to him when he saw what happened to Duterte.
“When I saw the video, parang nag-flashback sa akin yung ginawa ng mga kapulisan nung araw sa amin. At ang sabi mo, hihilahin ko yan, hihilahin ko yan. Is that a… Is that what you said, General Torre?”
But Torre insisted that the Duterte camp is only exhibiting their optics and tactics at that time.
Duterte was served an arrest warrant from the ICC upon arriving at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport from Hong Kong on March 11.
The arrest warrant was issued on the grounds of alleged crimes against humanity he committed for the anti-drug campaign he orchestrated when he was still in power.