Davao 1st District Representative Paolo “Pulong” Duterte took to social media to continue his criticism against former Philippine National Police chief General Nicolas Torre III, insisting that the former police chief’s handling of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s arrest was unlawful.
The Davao lawmaker criticized Torre’s remarks regarding the impending arrest of a staunch ally, Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, in connection with charges he faces before the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Nobody remembered Torre as the PNP chief due to his short term that, Pulong said, “can be measured in hours rather than achievements.”
“Now he wants to parade himself as an expert on international law? As if a few days in office suddenly makes him the oracle of sovereignty?” he said.
Duterte’s statements followed after Torre had said in an interview that he was ready to implement the ICC’s warrant of arrest for Senator Bato Dela Rosa “if the order comes.”
But Torre’s pronouncements should not be given weight, Duterte said, insisting that the Philippines is no longer part of the ICC—an assertion put forward by the former president’s family and supporters.
“Torre’s stint was not a leadership term — it was an intermission, a placeholder, a bookmark in a chapter that nobody read,” Pulong said.
“The only thing shorter than his service is the patience of the PNP officers who wondered how someone so politically fragile ended up in the top post,” he added.
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla had earlier claimed that the ICC had already issued an against the senator and former PNP chief.
In a separate statement, the Department of Justice (DOJ) also said that the Philippines will against Dela Rosa if one is issued by the ICC.
“I believe that we will have to comply… One of the possible situations would be just determining the length of time when it will be actually implemented,” Prosecutor General Richard Fadullon said in a press briefing.
The senator had sought for a motion to compel Remulla to furnish a copy of the alleged warrant, which had been.
The ICC has not yet confirmed whether an arrest warrant has actually been issued.
Pulong Duterte noted that “everyone knew” that the country was no longer a part of the ICC, and that “threatening” dela Rosa will not elevate Torre.
“Bato actually served, fought, and bled for this country. Torre barely had time to find the comfort room in Camp Crame before being replaced… His sudden loudness now is not courage. It’s bitterness masquerading as relevance,” he said.
Torre owes the public an explanation of why his term as PNP chief ended “faster than a press conference,” the Davao lawmaker said.
“Credibility is earned over time—and Torre never served long enough to earn any. Until then, he should sit this one out. Short-term chiefs should not issue long-term threats,” he added
Former president Rodrigo Duterte had been during Torre’s term as the PNP chief in March 11, 2025, which drew mixed responses from the nation, with some claiming that it was illegal as the Philippines was no longer part of the ICC.
Months after the first arrest, Torre had said that the PNP was in case another warrant would be issued against Dela Rosa, who served as the PNP chief during the Duterte presidency.
In August, Torre was as the PNP chief.
