Former Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Nicolas Torre III has raised concern over what he described as “trial by publicity” in the handling of administrative proceedings involving a police officer who recently figured in a viral incident in Pasig City, where a rider was allegedly pushed off his motorcycle.
In a Facebook post, Torre stressed that while police personnel must be held accountable when they commit wrongdoing, he warned against what he called premature public judgment that may undermine due process.
“Kapag ang pulis ay mali, dapat managot. Walang argumento diyan. Pero kapag ang pulis ay ginagawang convenient sacrificial lamb para sa public applause, ibang usapan na iyon,” Torre said.
He also criticized the manner in which some officials of the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) allegedly handle administrative complaints, saying the commission should uphold fairness and impartiality rather than engage in public pronouncements that appear to pre-judge cases.
“Hindi puwedeng ang NAPOLCOM—na dapat tagapagtanggol ng fairness at due process—ay nagiging venue ng trial by publicity at premature judgment,” he added.
Torre likewise addressed remarks attributed to Atty. Ralph Calinisan, saying some police officers who are simply performing their duties become “convenient targets” of public backlash and suffer reputational damage even before formal hearings conclude.
“Maraming pulis ang tahimik lang, nagtatrabaho lang… pero nasisira ang pangalan, karera, at pamilya dahil sa mga padalos-dalos na pronouncement,” he said.
He further emphasized that administrative adjudication should be guided by evidence and proper proceedings rather than media exposure or public pressure.
“Kapag ang judge ay nauuna ang hatol kaysa proseso, hindi na due process ang tawag diyan—prejudice na,” Torre said, adding that disciplinary mechanisms should balance accountability with protection against unfair treatment.
The statement comes in the wake of public outrage over a viral video showing a police officer allegedly pushing a motorcycle rider off his vehicle along a busy road in Pasig City last week, prompting calls for investigation and administrative action.
Torre said accountability must still be enforced, but stressed that decisions should be based on full evaluation of evidence during formal proceedings.
“Let evidence decide—not headlines, not noise,” he said.
