QCPD chief quits
Amid road rage presscon backlash
QUEZON City Police District (QCPD) director, Brigadier General Nicolas D. Torre III on Wednesday said he is resigning from his post in the wake of the backlash he and the police force received after holding a press conference with an ex-cop accused of manhandling and showing his gun to a cyclist in QC’s Welcome Rotunda.
Known for doing an excellent job as QCPD director, the member of Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) “Tagapaglunsad” Class of 1993 said he has submitted his resignation letter to PNP chief, General Benjamin C. Acorda Jr. to “spare the PNP from any other issue.”
He was referring to the slew of criticisms he and the PNP have received including negative social media comments in the aftermath of the controversial August 27 presscon he held with ex-QCPD Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit personnel Wilfredo Gonzales.
Gonzales has been stripped of all his gun permits and was asked to surrender his licensed firearms. His driver’s license was also suspended by the Land Transportation Office in the wake of the gun-toting incident.
One of the youngest members of PNPA Class 1993 in the police force, Torre will be retiring on March 11, 2027. The QCPD director is behind the success of the QC police force in fighting and thwarting criminality using modern technology, including CCTV cameras, body cams and handheld radios.
Acorda said he will discuss Torre’s resignation letter with QC Mayor Joy Belmonte and Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr.
The top cop also admitted that Torre has accomplished many things at the QCPD and is not that easy to let go of.
The QCPD director had denied giving Gonzales a “special treatment” when he allowed him to air his side in a press conference in Camp Karingal.
He said they did not file any case against the accused due to lack of a complainant. However, he apologized to the public and admitted he regretted holding a presscon with the ex-cop.
“I really regret that press conference. I apologize to the Filipino people for those actions because those are decisions made in a very short span of time,” Torre said.
